YORKTON, Sask. — A group of community volunteers is bringing Pride celebrations back to Yorkton this weekend, with organizers hoping the event will foster visibility, acceptance and community connections.
The Yorkton Pride Parade is scheduled for Aug. 29 from 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will feature a parade, live music and family-friendly activities.
The event marks the return of a local Pride celebration after no parade was held last year.
Rev. Jen Dresser, diaconal minister at St. Andrew's United Church, said members of the congregation were disappointed by the absence of a Pride event and began reaching out to other organizations and community members to help organize one.
Dresser said St. Andrew's has played a supporting role in the planning effort, but organizers wanted the event to be community-driven rather than associated with a single organization.
"There is quite a large queer community in Yorkton," Dresser said. "Some members of the community are often very afraid to be visible and to be open."
Dresser said bringing people together publicly helps demonstrate support for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community at a time when organizers continue to encounter criticism online.
"We are seeing online that there is a lot of pushback around things like this," Dresser said. "Having a group of people come together to offer support, to help with visibility and to help lift up inclusion and welcome is really important."
Corey Anderson, one of the event organizers, said the previous Yorkton Pride group stepped back several years ago after organizers faced significant hostility.
Anderson said previous Pride organizers faced death threats and threats against family members, which contributed to the decision to pause the event.
A new group of volunteers later came together to revive the celebration.
According to Anderson, the event is about creating a community where people feel accepted and supported.
"There wouldn't be a need for Pride if people could just go out in public and hold hands with the person they love comfortably without worrying about backlash," Anderson said.
Anderson said organizers have reported threatening comments to the RCMP and expect a police presence at the event as a precaution.
The parade will be followed by activities including face painting, hot dogs, cupcakes, lemonade and live entertainment.
Dresser said organizers hope the event provides an opportunity for residents to gather in a welcoming environment.
"It's a family-friendly event," Dresser said. "It's an opportunity for people to come out and spend time together."
Organizers hope a successful event this year will help re-establish Pride celebrations in Yorkton and create momentum for future events.
"It is a really important way that our community can help increase safety for folks and also help people know that they are welcome and included in the community," Dresser said.
