Niagara kicks off Pride Month with flag raising ceremonies across region

June is the start of Pride, a month-long celebration dedicated to the LGBTQ community.

Many festivals and events will be taking place all over North America over the next 30 days, and this morning there were flag raising ceremonies in Niagara.

Community members say even though progress has been made, it’s still important to raise the flag.

“Some people think, oh, we have done enough. No, we haven’t. We have not done enough until everybody is allowed to walk down the street holding hands without somebody calling them names or a slur,” said Kristy Kenzie, ambassador for Pride Niagara.

Ted Mouradian came out in the 1980s and while he says things have changed, there is still work to be done.

“I think it’s fantastic what’s happened. And we have come a long way. But yes, there is a long way to go. There is still people committing suicide, there is still hate out there, there is still groups that just don’t want us to exist. And now the new target is on trans people which is unfortunate because trans people have been around for a long time,” said Mouradian.

All 12 municipalities in the Niagara area are now flying Pride flags, along with Niagara Region’s headquarters in Thorold. It’s a show of solidarity and strength according to Pride Niagara.

“It shows their accountability and acknowledgement that they want to be held accountable, they want our community to see that symbol there, be empowered, feel inspired … and know that they can come to them and say if they have an issue or if they have a want or a need,” said Pride Niagara Chair Enzo De Divitiis.

“There is a sign outside of the Region, it says everyone is welcome, both in French and English. And we want everyone to feel welcome here in Niagara and supported here in Niagara. And we want to eliminate discrimination,” says Jim Bradley, Niagara Regional Chair.

And Pride in the Park will not be happening this year in St. Catharines.

Pride Niagara says it was hoping for it to be a joint project between the City of St. Catharines and Pride, but that did not happen – so the decision was made to remove it this year.

However, there are 12 events happening all over Niagara throughout the next week – most of them are free.

More information about Pride Niagara can be found on their website.

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