PRIDE

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Across the world, Pride festivals and events range from celebrations, to protests, to the simple persistent reminder that LGBTTQ individuals deserve recognition and respect.

Jonathan Niemczak, President of the committee responsible for organizing Winnipeg Pride, insists that politics will always have a place in their events.

“Pride will always be political, that’s at the core of Pride. And it will never go away,” Niemczak says. “That’s why we do the rally at the Manitoba Legislative building. It’s a symbol, and also that’s where the original rally took place.”

Winnipeg’s flashiest event is usually the big Pride parade, which starts at the Legislative building at 12 p.m. on June 14. This year’s entries are up from last year, with 65 distinct participants. The parade culminates at the Forks, the site of a large outdoor festival.

“We tried to keep Sunday as local as we could, bringing in a bit of outside talent but keeping it as local as we could,” Niemczak explains.

Beyond the parade, a full listing of events can be found in Pride Winnipeg’s Pride Guide. Not included in the guide, but circulating on social media, is a listing of alternate events by the name of the Queer Pride Guide.

Niemczak sees no problem with having two groups of events. “As long as there’s events for everyone in the community, that’s what our main concern is.”

Part of the series: The 7th Annual Summer Festival Guide

Published in Volume 69, Number 27 of The Uniter (June 3, 2015)

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