Provincial Government Joins Community Groups in Celebrating Pride Week

The Provincial Government and community groups are recognizing July 18 to 24 as Pride Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Celebrating the full diversity of our province, including differing sexual orientations, is the simplest way we can continue to work towards equality for all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative. “Pride Week serves not only as a reminder to celebrate the diversity of our province, but to learn about other people and the challenges they may face in everyday life.”

Pride Week activities started taking place across the province this weekend. For example, on Saturday, pride parades took place in both Corner Brook and Wabush, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay hosted Pride in the Park, a community festival including food, games and entertainment, on Sunday. In St. John’s, a number of activities are scheduled for this week including a flag raising ceremony, barbecues, bonfires, panel discussions and the annual pride parade and festival.

“Pride Week is not just a time to celebrate, it is a time to educate and advocate,” said Jennifer McCreath, spokesperson for St. John’s Pride Inc. “Members of the LGBT community still face oppression and discrimination in their daily lives in areas ranging from employment, housing, health care, human rights, social acceptance, and the myth of mental and physical illness.”

“Through the hard work and dedication of community groups and volunteers, we are taking important steps toward spreading messages of acceptance and pride,” said Minister Sullivan. “Seeing the growth in the number of events happening across the province this year shows the commitment people in our province have to making a difference. This government remains committed to embracing the diversity of all the people in our province.”

St. John's Pride Inc. is a registered non-profit company that has a mandate to provide and facilitate education, advocacy, networking and issue awareness, as well as coordinate and deliver events that celebrate and promote the visibility of LGBT people and their accomplishments. For more information and a complete listing of events, please visit stjohnspride.org/main. Pride activities in other areas are run by similar groups or existing community organizations, including violence prevention regional coordinating committees, student unions, not-for-profit groups, volunteer groups and local businesses.

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2011 07 18                                                                                11:20 a.m.