Congratulations to Kincardine on its second annual Pride Parade

To the Editor:
RE: “Colourful Kincardine Pride Parade is about inclusion and acceptance of everyone”

In a long and proud line of Pride celebrations in many locations throughout Pride month, Kincardine Pride gets it done. In a show of and celebration of human rights, LGBTQ2SI rights and the belief that we love who we want to love, not who we are told we can love, the Kincardine community and well over 1,000 people embraced the day and the vision of love and hope.

Grand Marshals and guests of honour, such as CUPE Ontario Division president Fred Hahn, and Kendra Fisher, along with Kincardine Pride president, Fort Papalia, put the sentiments of the day into words at the end of the parade when they spoke of the freedom to love whoever we want to, the voyage of self-discovery and a stern reminder that even though the Government of Ontario has changed “we are not going backwards.”

As president of the Grey Bruce Labour Council, I not only le the labour council delegation of several affiliated unions, but spoke of an overwhelming sense of pride that the Grey Bruce Labour Council has been on the ground with Kincardine Pride since day one.

Pride celebrations, events and parades tell the story of who Canadians are. We are a welcoming nation built on the foundations of optimism and the belief that we are best served when we love and accept each other for who we are.

Labour council vice-president, Dave Trumble, the initial contact between Kincardine Pride and the labour council, said that when he heard Hahn’s comments that “no child will be born in Kincardine from this day forward and not know a Kincardine Pride celebration,” he was moved very deeply. Having new grandchildren in his family, Trumble said he could see the future “where these children will live in a community and a nation where as Martin Luther King said, people will be judged by the content of their character.”

The labour movement in Canada places the Pride movement at its core and in this, places human rights and labour rights at the forefront of initiatives and campaigns to make sure Canada fulfils its potential as a leader in compassion on the world stage.

Happy Pride!
Kevin Smith
President
Grey Bruce Labour Council
 

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To Kincardine Pride:

It is my great pleasure to extend warm greetings to all gathered for the second annual Kincardine Pride Parade.

As Canadians, we are fortunate to live in a free and open society. In Ontario, our laws promote equal rights and opportunities and recognize the dignity and worth of all people. As a society, we have agreed that discrimination and harassment are unacceptable and that sexual diversity and gender identity and expression are fundamental human rights worthy of respect.

In spite of this, inequality and oppression persist, and this is why pride parades are so important. They foster understanding and provide opportunities for LGBT`-plus people and their allies to be visible in their communities. They are an opportunity for all of us to appreciate the unique attributes of our neighbours while being mindful of the unfinished business that remains.

As Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in Ontario, I send you my very good wishes for a memorable parade and commend everyone who has played a part in ensuring its success.


Elizabeth Dowdeswell
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario