Members of the Rainbow Community and its allies joined Altona on Saturday for the first-ever march and rally hosted by the Pembina Valley Pride.
The day began with welcoming and raising the Pride flag at the Altona Civic Center, followed by a nearly two-kilometer march to Centennial Park, where the celebration continued with speeches and live music.
As Peter Wolgemuth, president of the Pembina Valley Pride, explained, pride parades have evolved over time. Initially, the rainbow community existed as a form of protest or declaration. Since then, the event has become more of a celebration. Saturday’s local event includes elements of both, Wolgemuth said.
“It’s part of seeing each other, looking at us as part of the community. Sometimes there is a feeling that people will be reluctant to tolerate Rainbow’s identities as long as they don’t have to see them. “You can’t be part of the community if you’re invisible,” Wolgemuth said.
In addition, Wohlegmut says there is an aspect to involving allies.
“In our area again, if you are an ally, how do you show it? And for members of the rainbow community, if you don’t know someone is an ally, then your sure guess is usually not. But an event like this is an opportunity for allies to come out and show that support. “
As someone who lives and works in Altona, Wolgemuth, who identifies as them, said it was a big deal to have this local holiday.
“Ten years ago, I couldn’t imagine having a pride parade right here. The support of the city council was huge. This really sends a message. It creates the feeling that Rainbow’s identities are part of this community, and not just well, tolerated. Having an event like that says, “Yes, you’re part of our community, you’re valued as part of our community, you’re celebrating as part of our community,” the message of encouragement that leads to … I’m not even sure how to describe it. “
Wolgemuth added, seeing the Pride flag flutter at the Civic Center, confirms the message.
“It’s a very, very clear message and very much appreciated.”
On May 10, 2022, the Altona City Council adopted a resolution stating that the Pride flag would be hoisted on the municipal flagpole at the Altona Civic Center in support of the Pride March and related events coordinated by the Pembina Valley Pride. .
“When we told Pembina Valley Pride that Altona was hosting the annual parade, we felt that the request spoke to our vision of being an attractive and safe community for all,” Mayor Al Freesen said in a statement.
As a member and ally of the Rainbow community, Brandi, who identifies as pansexual and uses the pronouns she / she, says she participated in Saturday’s march to show other members of the community that they have the love and support they deserve.
“I came from Winnipeg at first and it’s quite noisy there, but when I moved here, it was kind of disturbing because the community was pretty quiet and I didn’t realize we had such a big community here.”
Accompanied by her husband and children, for Erin Funk-Wheeler, Saturday’s event was a family affair. As a teacher in the local school department and an employee of a local church, Funk-Wheeler believes it is important to show people that there are safe people and places where they can be what they are in the community.
LJ Barquilla identified himself as transsexual and was one of the speakers at the park’s festivities.
“The message I have for the community is that the rainbow community is not dangerous people or people where people should be afraid of them. We are just people like you, like everyone else, and our needs are essentially the same. “
Barquilla thanked all the allies, companies and organizations that support Pride and offered a suggestion on how to further help the Rainbow Community.
“Think of inclusive toilets. It’s just the same thing as in our households, but it’s a big deal for the Rainbow community. “
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