Manitoba Pride Flag. Image credit @USConsWinnipeg
Winnipeg/CMEDIA: Manitoba had reportedly its historic first when the Pride flag was raised near the Manitoba Legislature on Friday.
During the Pride flag hoisting ceremony, Pride Members of Pride Winnipeg were joined by Manitoba’s Premier Heather Stefanson and other provincial government officials.
Recent events such as an attempt to ban books with LGBTQ themes in the Brandon School Division reveal the importance of Pride, Barry Karlenzig, president of Pride Winnipeg was reported saying and added that flag-raising event near the legislative building was “one step further in repairing the fracture that happened last year.”
It was announced during a news conference Tuesday that due to a new grant program created by the province, Pride organization will receive $250,000 to hire permanent staff.
In the news conference Stefanson confirmed she will walk in this year’s Pride Winnipeg parade.
Rochelle Squires, the government’s new gender equity secretariat was reported telling attendees that Pride Winnipeg has been asking for an event like the flag raising for years and added,
“We certainly want everyone in Manitoba to know that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder as one community — united in love.”
Apart from the provincial ceremony, a dozen more Pride events took place across Manitoba on Friday including one at Winnipeg’s city hall.
Karlenzig was reported saying that 50 Pride flags will fly at various Winnipeg businesses and organizations by Monday, which sends a strong message.
Pride Winnipeg events run until June 4.
#Manitoba; #PrideFlag
