Provincial Government Recognizes Pride Week 2019

  • Executive Council
  • Natural Resources

July 12, 2019

Today, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources marked the beginning of Pride Week 2019 celebrations by joining members of St. John’s Pride and other community and government representatives at a flag-raising ceremony at Confederation Building, which will be lit with the Pride colours tonight.

Pride Week highlights important gains made by and for the LGBTQ2S+ community, while raising awareness that more must be done to prevent discrimination and advance equality.

The week features a variety of events, including The Pride and Progress Parade, which will take place on Sunday, July 14, starting at St. John’s City Hall and ending with a celebration at Bannerman Park. Other events planned for the week include a video game tournament, an open mic poetry session, basketball, bonfire night and a beach party. Complete details on Pride Week in St. John’s can be found at www.stjohnspride.ca/.

Quotes
“Pride Week provides many opportunities to celebrate and learn about diversity. Everyone in our society deserves full acceptance regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, or religion. I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to participate in the events that are planned for this week as we celebrate activism, equality, and the achievements of the LGBTQ movement.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Full inclusion and equality for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is important and is possible when we all make a commitment to treat others with respect and dignity. Together, we raise the Pride flag and join with the LGBTQ2S+ community in celebration of diversity.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Minister of Natural Resources

“2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion and of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada. Locally, we have seen many communities make progress over the past year to ensure that LGBTQ2S+ youth are supported and that they feel comforted and secure. We’ve also witnessed full support for gender diversity as demonstrated by the Canadian government. There is still more to do to make our Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Communities the best they can be, and we can do beautiful things together. I invite everyone to join St. John’s Pride, and our families, friends, and sponsors, as we march in Pride, toward Progress.”
Derek Semerad
Co-chair Internal, St. John’s Pride

– 30 –

Learn more
St. John’s Pride external link icon

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNLexternal link icon and @NR_GovNLexternal link icon

Media contacts
Erin Sulley
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
erinsulley@gov.nl.ca

Lisa Lawlor
Natural Resources
709-729-5777, 631-8155
lisalawlor@gov.nl.ca

Derek Semerad
St. John’s Pride
709-699-0417
internalstjpride@gmail.com

2019 07 12 2:55 pm