Moncton Pride celebrations kick off in shadow of Policy 713 controversy – New Brunswick | 24CA News
The theme of this yr’s River of Pride Festival is “This is me,” which organizers say is extra necessary than ever for New Brunswick’s LGBTQ2 group.
“It’s always fun to celebrate and be joyful and celebrate who you are and with everything that’s going on right now, it’s even more important to celebrate and show our true colours,” River of Pride spokesperson Félix St-Onge stated at a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on Friday.
He stated taking pleasure in identification is necessary because the controversy surrounding the adjustments to Policy 713 rages on.
Changes to the coverage require all college students beneath 16 to have parental permission to alter their identify and pronouns, as they’re used within the classroom, if the change is expounded to their gender identification.
The adjustments have sparked criticism from the LGBTQ2 group, advocacy teams, educators, and the Child and Youth Advocate.
St-Onge, a instructor himself, stated it’s nonetheless not clear what the protocol will likely be for college kids when college begins in September.
He will take over as president for River of Pride in 2024, and stated their purpose is to supply extra household actions.
“We do have activities for the families but we want to have more activities for them,” he stated.
“We want to do more (awareness work) and workshops, things like that.”
Drag performer Kessa Lulle stated Pride celebrations are wanted to shine a lightweight throughout a tough time for the group.
They stated rising up as a two-spirit Mi’gmaw individual in Moncton wasn’t simple, and the Policy 713 controversy stirs up uncomfortable emotions.
“It’s rough. From personal experience, being First Nations in Moncton itself is already a bit of a challenge and then having another facet added on to that…It’s bearable but it really just drains the light out of you,” they stated.
“That’s what Pride’s for, it’s to stop hiding parts of yourself that others would try to shame you for,” they stated.
River of Pride continues till Sept. third, with a Pride parade happening on Main Street on Sept. 2nd.
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