Pride Week kicks off in North Battleford

Jul 24, 2017 | 1:00 PM

A rainbow flag is flying high in front of City Hall for this first time as Mayor Ryan Bater proclaimed the start of Pride Week on Monday morning.

Kay-Lynn Collier, the founder and head organizer of Pride and the Battleford and Area Gender and Sexuality Alliance (BGSA), thinks the city representing Pride is a step in the right direction.

“[The flag raising] means the start of a relationship between the queer community, and the rest of the community in the Battlefords,” Collier said. “[BGSA] is really happy that the city was willing to support us in this.”

While Collier thinks there is a need for more opportunities for youth to grow as individuals, Pride has shown how much support has increased in the community over the years.

“I think the environment is changing, [and] people are starting to be more accepting, and wanting to get more involved [in Pride],” she said. “We have a lot of people very enthusiastic about the event coming here.”

BGSA will host a variety of programming to take place in conjunction with Street Fest next weekend.

Attendees can expect low-cost, family friendly activities such as a parade, dance, and a panel on LGBTQ identity. No drugs or alcohol will be permitted at any of the programs.

 

Jared.gottselig@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jgottsel