Though the parade started at 1 p.m. Wendy and I were positioned near the end of the route with many other folk staring intently at the empty road in anticipation, when at 1:45 something unexpected happened; a volunteer stood in the middle of the street with one finger on her lips and her other hand raised with a finger pointed upward. It took a few seconds for us to catch on. Slowly the hubbub died down, and more hands began pointed skyward. It was amazing as the street became silent. Not a word. Not at peep. Fingers pointing toward the heavens. We stood united united in silence.
No one needed to tell us why we were standing quietly. We knew. And we stood one minute, two minutes, and then a couple of minutes more. Each of us thinking our own thoughts.
And then we saw a mounted police officer coming and knew the parade had arrived.
There were a number of floats but mostly there were various groups, marching, sashaying, dancing, vamping and parading past us.
There were lawyers, teachers, doctors, and nurses.
There was the R.C.M.P. military representatives and local police.
There were banks, grocery stores, and churches. I'm not sure about the motivation of the banks and grocery stores.
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| "Gay by God" |
This couple along with their children were part of the CBC group.
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| It's more than just rainbow colours. |
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| NDP (political party) float. |
RESPECT
Treat all citizens equally, regardless of ability, race, gender, religion, language, First Nations status, marital status and/or sexual orientation.
We are moving forward but we still have a very long way to go.
This link takes you to a page with helpful definitions of some LGBT+ terms. For example, are you cisgender ? Are you an ally ?
My daughter and her girls attended the parade, and were really impressed. Yes, things are better, but there is still a long way to go. You are right. When I was young there would never have been a parade like this. The LGBT community was underground, acceptance was no where to be seen. Yes things have changed and hopefully the future will be brighter.
ReplyDeleteHad an acquaintance basically say he wouldn't be caught dead at THAT parade.
DeleteSuch ignorance makes me sad. We still have a long way to go but I am proud of how far we have come.
I know a lot of people bitch about how "corporate" our Pride Parades are these days but I think they're missing the point. I'm thrilled to see all these businesses and non-GLBTQ organizations marching because I remember only too well the days when not one of them would touch our community with a ten-foot pole. I revel in how much things have changed!
ReplyDeleteSo true Debra. I have a friend who feels ticked off that they ARE joining now because it's the "in" thing to do. That they wouldn't join in if it didn't help their bottom line. There are narrow places in Nova Scotia and I wonder how willing those same companies would be to step out publicly ?
DeleteIt is always nice to hear about this parade and the way folks support LGBT folks. At least there's a movement opening our minds toward wider acceptance. Nice colorful pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy. Things are getting better but there is still ignorance and discrimination even here in "The Great White North".
Delete"Progressive Conservative Party" ? Seems like a bit of an oxymoron... Great pictures of an important event. Social change is so slow, but little by little we seem to be moving forward.
ReplyDelete