10 years ago, the Pride festival in Edmonton was just a parade that went down 3 blocks on Whyte Avenue, culminating in 150 people watching Darrin Hagen as Gloria Hole, belt out a number on a rickety stage in Gazebo Park.
If this year’s Pride Festival in Alberta’s Capital is anything like last year’s, it is a sure-fire success. Last year’s parade and celebrations in Churchill Square netted just over 8000 people! With the population boom, and the increasing awareness and openness of GLBTQ culture within so-called ”red-neck Alberta”, people are showing up in droves to celebrate together as a community.
This year, the theme for Pride Week is “The Age of Aqueerius”! With more than 16 events, day and night from June 13th to the 22nd, there is a lot to see and do. These events cater to many of the different sub-cultures, people and families within our multicultural city. Most are happening in and around the centre of the city, including Kinsmen park, City Hall, The Royal Alberta Museum and various nightclubs and other parts of our beautiful city.
It is something for us all to be PROUD, with members of the community coming together and working so hard on many creative things: workshops, parties, fashion studios, community centres, bands, plays, books, historic research, and many fabulous other things, et cetera. I see so many people getting married, coming out, dancing at gay proms, getting comfortable with their partners, finding their sense of belonging, and being able to feel comfortable in their own skin. I can still remember last year - so many smiling faces in such a sunny place in such a super city. I see so many figures in the many aspects of my life here that are openly gay, and are proud of saying “Yes” to that question that was so hard to hear so many years ago.
I can’t wait to experience this year’s activities, especially the parade on June 13th that leaves 108th Street and Jasper at 1pm. The procession will go along Jasper to Churchill Square, where we will then hear speeches of many of our political leaders and supporters, and see yet another amazing Edmonton Queen Drag Show.
The incredulous flawless Miss Bianca, aka Binky, will be hosting the show on the main stage, comprised of so many amazing drag performers (including myself), plus 4 musical acts including my personal favourites the “Wet Secrets”! There’s a family section by the city hall fountain, and many food vendors, retail tents, and non-profit group booths set up. Oh, and in case you were wondering, there will also be a bigger beer garden than last year with many more accessible lavatories to handle it.
The GLBT community has achieved many milestones for equality, and this Pride Festival is for those people of all backgrounds, sexual orientation and ethnicities, to reflect the positive change in mainstream attitude towards sexual minorities and the creation of a more inclusive society.
