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Pride Fest marks a milestone |
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Written by editor
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Sunday, 14 June 2009 |
Pamela Roth
LETHBRIDGE HERALD
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Mickey Wilson never envisioned himself becoming a part of a history as he stood on the steps of Lethbridge city hall on Friday evening. A rainbow flag being hoisted up the flag pole marked the beginning of the 2009 Lethbridge Pride Festival — an event that has never taken place in the city until this weekend.
Around 150 people gathered at city hall to take part in the kick off for the historic festival, which wrapped up at Galt Gardens on Sunday afternoon. It’s an event many people in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community never imagined would happen here after years of fighting for acceptance.
“It’s awesome. People have been truly empowered,” said Wilson, a spokesperson for the event. “I know people here who have felt discriminated against here and who really didn’t believe this was possible when we first proposed it because of the history in the community. Old attitudes die hard and in communities where there is more conservative social and religious values, it’s a bit more challenging to be accepted.”
Tammy Johnson was one of several people who attended the festivities at Galt Gardens on Sunday afternoon to show her support for the gay and lesbian community.
According to Johnson, the event is a real milestone for Lethbridge and one that was long overdue.
“I really think it’s important to have a forum that everyone can feel comfortable in and let other people have exposure to their pride and how amazing it is to be proud of who you are, no matter what,” said Johnson. “I think Lethbridge is a really tough place to be accepted. There is such a religious sect and a lot of times it’s very hard for someone who is of a certain belief to accept that there is others out there that don’t have the same belief system at all, or maybe they do, but it’s just a little different.”
The Lethbridge Pride Festival Committee is a collaborate group representing a variety people of alternative sexual orientation. Its purpose is to enhance the awareness and visibility of the community through events each June, in conjunction with activities throughout the year that promote equality, dignity and understanding.
After taking part in such an event, Wilson feels more than ever that attitudes are beginning to change and hopes that trend will continue in the years ahead.
“I think people understand we have enriched the community and are willing to find space for us to live side by side,” said Wilson, who moved to Lethbridge about eight months ago from Warner. “We have our own internalized homophobia where we are afraid to come out in public and say, ‘This is who we are and we are proud of that,’ but I think that is changing.”
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