People from more than 140 organizations walked, biked, rollerbladed, cartwheeled and danced their way down Wharf and Government streets, in front of the Legislature, and through James Bay to finish at the Pride Festival at MacDonald Park.
Bubbles and streamers flew through the air Sunday as thousands lined the streets of downtown Victoria to watch the rainbow-filled Pride Parade.
People from about 140 organizations walked, biked, rollerbladed, cartwheeled and danced their way down Wharf and Government streets, in front of the legislature, and through James Bay to finish at the Pride Festival at MacDonald Park.
Warren Silver, vice-president of the Prime Timers Victoria, a group for senior and mature gay and bisexual men, said he walks in the parade to show that queer people have been in the city long before big events like this one took place.
“It’s good not to forget about some of us who have been here for a long time,” he said, adding that the group’s members have been enjoying the social connections it brings since its establishment in 1992.
Member Bob Croft said a lot of the group’s members came out as gay during the AIDS crisis, and that “it’s always important to be visible.”
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto attended the parade in the bucket of a fire truck, waving at the crowd below. She said the parade is an important event for everyone in the city, adding that it shows how accepting Victoria is. “To see the community at large embrace that is a great thing.”
Mark Ashfield, founder of the Super Heroes of Victoria, a service that connects about 380 eager volunteers with organizations in need, drove in the parade alongside a colourful group, ranging from Captain America to Harley Quinn.
He said he created the society 16 years ago to show that volunteering can be fun, adding that the parade is the perfect opportunity for young people to see that “anyone can be a superhero.”
The B.C. Green Party, B.C. NDP and the Liberal Party of Canada walked in the parade. Two pro-Palestine activist groups were an official part of the parade;last year, activists who weren’t in parade briefly interrupted it near the legislature, forcing a detour.
Wren Gramdbois and Nat Weiland attended the parade together wearing matching outfits and sporting the transgender Pride flag.
“It’s important to show up to the things we love and make us happy,” said Gramdbois, a political science and gender studies student at the University of Victoria, adding that they love the sense of community the parade provides.
Gramdbois said they couldn’t pick a favourite float, noting that each one had a unique draw.
Victoria Native Friendship Centre youth support worker Kat Waldron said she enjoys walking in the parade to bring visibility to queer Indigenous people. “We’re here, and we’re here to celebrate.”
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