SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Pride Month
June 4, 2024
Honourable senators, I rise today to wish you all a happy Pride Month. Let me share with you how we celebrate Pride in Winnipeg, a city with a vibrant and inclusive spirit.
The 2024 Pride Winnipeg Festival, a 10-day celebration, just wrapped up. It is one of the largest Pride festivals in central Canada. The festival is marked by events that highlight the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. First, the festival kicks off with the rainbow flag raising at City Hall. Then there is an evening vigil to honour those who have lost their lives because of hate crimes and to recognize those who have worked hard to uphold the rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
A Pride rally takes place at the Manitoba Legislative Building and is followed by an energizing parade. This year, over 6,000 people marched through downtown Winnipeg while thousands more filled the sidewalks to watch and cheer. The celebration culminates at The Forks, a national historic site at the junction of the Red River and the Assiniboine River, with performances and vendors that showcase the diversity of the community.
This weekend, I had the honour of marching in the Pride parade with Bahaghari Pride Manitoba, an organization founded to promote learning, connection and understanding of the queer Filipinx community’s history, culture and stories. Bahaghari is a Tagalog word meaning “rainbow.” The group is celebrating two special occasions, as June is also Filipino Heritage Month.
Manitoba’s Pride celebrations have evolved significantly over the years. In 1987, following the incorporation of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights into The Human Rights Code in Manitoba, Winnipeg held its first Pride parade, where 250 people marched — many wearing paper bags over their heads to protect their identities. In 1990, the term “two-spirit” was coined by Elder Myra Laramee at the Intertribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference held in Winnipeg. This term has become important in recognizing the unique identity of Indigenous two-spirit individuals.
Pride Winnipeg’s 2024 theme of “Transcend Together” advocates for the protection of trans rights and celebrates the diverse spectrum of identities.
The courage of those who marched in Winnipeg’s first Pride parade in 1987 laid the foundation for the inclusive celebrations we enjoy today. Let’s celebrate Pride with a spirit of solidarity and respect, recognizing the progress made and the work still needed to end the discrimination, violence and barriers faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Colleagues, I look forward to hearing how Pride is celebrated in your provinces.
Thank you, meegwetch and happy Pride!
Honourable senators, today, I wish to join other colleagues in celebrating June as Pride Month.
The last time I rose to speak on this topic was, very sadly, following the targeted stabbings at the University of Waterloo last year. Yesterday, the accused pleaded guilty in court to all charges. This tragedy demonstrates that there is still work to do. We still need to recognize Pride Month and what it represents — and as leaders, provide our continued public support and acceptance.
For me, this community begins at home. Our daughter Kailee came out to us in 2009. It was not easy. We were surprised, but our love and support dominated and will forever. For my statement today, I asked Kailee to share what Pride Month means to her.
Kailee wrote:
When I came out in 2009, at the age of 20, Pride month meant I could finally see myself in others and celebrate unabashedly amongst my friends who were also navigating the new world of dating other women. It was exciting and new. We were in this community, together. The World Pride Event held in Toronto in 2014 is amongst some of my very favourite memories celebrating what it means to be authentically who I am.
Since then, I have surrounded myself with a community where being gay isn’t something I have to think about too often. I am a proud educator who is able to be completely transparent with my students and parents, I am a passionate coach and don’t think twice about “coming out” to my athletes and families each season. I get to feel safe, every day, in who I am. I know I am most fortunate for this.
So today, for me, Pride Month means creating opportunities for visibility and celebration for the young people I work with. For the kids who are struggling with figuring it all out, who aren’t supported by their families, or by many communities across Canada. It is watching major corporations work at trying to represent all Canadians. It is our government marching, our Olympians, Paralympians, celebrities, and community members. It is queer youth seeing themselves in others.
My belief is that Pride Month continues to save lives. Bring on June, the best month of the year.
Senators, I don’t think I could say it any better. I have marched in Pride parades across Canada. I find my daughter Kailee’s words profound. Thank you, Kailee. We love you. Your dad, sister and I will continue to love forever, listen to and be allies for so many.
Thank you, meegwetch.
