Saanich launches inaugural 'Pride Month' and first pride event
The District of Saanich is partnering with the Victoria Pride Society and the Inter-cultural Association (ICA) to celebrate LGBTQ2+ members in the community this month.
On Wednesday, a ceremony was held to raise the Progress Pride Flag on the flagpole at the entrance to Saanich’s municipal hall.
The district has also declared June to be "Pride Month in Saanich" in support of, and celebration of, the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community.
"Saanich council and staff look forward each year to the many Pride activities in our community," said acting Mayor Karen Harper.
"We strive to eliminate discrimination in all of its forms, choosing instead to help create an equitable and inclusive community that addresses discrimination in our diverse home."
Saanich declared June "Pride Month in Saanich" at a ceremony at Saanich municipal hall on June 1, 2022. (CTV News)
New for this year, the municipality will be hosting "Pride in the Park," a family-friendly event at Beckwith Park which will feature live music, food, and activities, including pride-themed crafts for participants to take home.
The event will take place on June 16 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
"Every year we do a little bit more to raise visibility and safety for the 2-SLGBTQ+ community," said Saanich community services senior manager Cristina Caravaca.
"To us, LGBTQ+ communities are not new, we’ve always been here, and it’s just a time to celebrate and make everybody feel part of the community," she said.
PRIDE PARADE RETURNS
The Victoria Pride Society says by expanding Pride events in Saanich, there's more inclusion and growth for the LGBTQ2+ members living in Greater Victoria.
"Often we feel like we get to be ourselves one day a year, fully ourselves, without judgement," said Victoria Pride Society president Britton Kohn.
"This means we are adding more days to the calendar in more municipalities and I hope other municipalities follow Saanich’s leadership."
Kohn says one of the highlights for 2022 is the return of the Victoria Pride Parade.
It is the first time the organization has been able to hold in-person events since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.
"I invite everyone to come out and celebrate with each other," said Kohn.
The Victoria Pride Festival kicks off on June 23 and runs until July 2. A full list of events can be found on the Victoria Pride website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.