Today, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, joined members of St. John’s Pride, and other community representatives, at a flag-raising ceremony at the Confederation Building as part of Pride Week 2018 celebrations.
This year’s Pride Week began with the annual Pride Parade, on Sunday, July 15, and continues until Sunday, July 22. Events planned throughout the week include social events, a film screening, a tour of Memorial University’s Botanical Garden, bonfire night and beach party. The Confederation Building will also be illuminated in Pride colours in recognition of Pride Week.
Pride Week is an opportunity to encourage acceptance and highlight important gains that have been made for LGBTQ individuals in our province, while highlighting that more must be done to prevent discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community.
Most recently, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador made a policy change in September 2017 to allow individuals to obtain a gender-neutral birth certificate. In December 2017, the Vital Statistics Act was amended to eliminate the requirement for those 16 years of age and older to provide a statement from a designated professional with their application to change the sex designation on their birth certificate.
Quotes
“As we celebrate Pride Week, it is a wonderful opportunity to educate and empower people of different sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to participate in the many opportunities to celebrate and embrace diversity among all people in our province including the LGBTQ community.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Our government is making important strides toward eliminating discrimination and advancing inclusion and equality for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Everyone has a right to be respected, included and treated equally. Pride Week celebrates the achievements of the LGBTQ community, and as a government, we raise the flag in celebration of diversity.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“St. John’s Pride is grateful to the people of our province for reminding our youth they are not alone; from Camp Ohana, to Camp Eclipse, to Echo Pond Summer Camp, we see youth being unified and educated, in kindness, in joy, in being themselves. The theme of this year’s Pride celebrations is ‘Together’ which reminds us that together we are stronger. Our continued relationship with the Provincial Government, working toward progressive change, also makes us stronger. Together, as this LGBTQ2SI+ community, we are not simply better, but we are at our best.”
Derek Semerad
Co-chair Internal, St. John’s Pride
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Learn more
St. John’s Pride – stjohnspride.ca/
Legislative Amendment Respects Rights of Transgender Individuals:
gov.nl.ca/releases/2016/servicenl/0412n06.aspx
Provincial Government Removing Medical Note Requirement for Gender Neutral Birth Certificate Applications:
gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/servicenl/1108n04.aspx
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @CSSD_GovNL
Media contacts
Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca
Derek Semerad
St. John’s Pride
709-699-0417
internalstjpride@gmail.com