living talk
M E R C E D E S FAW N S
P H O T O G R A P H Y : C O U R T E S Y O F L E T H B R I D G E P R I D E F E S T S O C I E T Y A N D C O DY K A P C S O S
Summer will soon be upon us, and with the warmer weather and longer days,
so will the anticipation of exciting events that come with the season, including
the ninth annual Lethbridge Pride Fest, June 18–24, the largest Pride event in
Southern Alberta. What started as a small handful of people, a barbecue, and
a dance on the outskirts of Lethbridge in 2007 has now grown into a week-long
festival with thousands of attendees from across Southern Alberta, and a wide
array of activities for families, youth, and adults to take part in.
P R I D E F E S T is the annual celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
main highlights of the festival are the Pride Parade, and Pride in the
Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) diversity in communities around
Park, which drew more than 3,000 people into Galt Gardens last year.
the globe. Initially, Pride started as a demonstration for human rights
“That’s our big family-friendly event. I just like being out in the sun,
and political activism in the 1970s when members of the LGBTQ+
showcasing our local talent–that’s definitely my favourite event,” Devon
community started fighting for rights equal to
smiles. Families can take part in anything
those of the heterosexual community.
from face painting and bouncy castles, to live
Since the first march in New York in
entertainment and food trucks. Devon mentions
1970, Pride demonstrations have spread to
that over the years the Pride Fest Society has
communities throughout the world and have
worked to organize and promote as many
evolved into celebrations of letting people show
family-friendly events and activities as possible.
their true colours proudly. “It’s important to
Devon is excited to announce that this year’s
promote visibility and acceptance,” explains
Lethbridge Pride will host its first Trans March
Devon Hargreaves, Chair of the Lethbridge
on June 18, to kick off the week of festivities.
Pride Fest Society. “Pride is not something to be
Trans March is a walk that supports the
shameful of; your [sexual] orientation doesn’t
transgender community, as well as a celebration
matter. Just come out, celebrate, be proud of who
of the community and its accomplishments in
you are and embrace it. That’s what we’re here to
human rights and constitution. The march will
do and promote.”
start at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery and
In 2016, more than 3,000 people came
out to Pride in the Park at Galt Gardens. This
Devon has served on the Lethbridge Pride
end at city hall.
year Pride in the Park will be held on June 24.
Fest Board of Directors for four years, and says
Other events this year include a special
even in that short amount of time it is amazing
performance from Trixie Mattel, you may
to see how the event has grown and evolved,
remember her from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season
stating that younger members of our community are really starting to
7, who will be making an appearance on June 24 at the adult dance, and
get involved with the Board of Directors and the celebration, becoming
the Annual Pride Awards and Martini Night.
active participants in volunteering, planning events, and executing
Pride celebrations are about more than human rights efforts around
activities.
the world. They are about being proud of who you are and letting
In 2016 more than 8,000 individuals attended Pride events and
yourself show your true colours. “Even if you don’t identify on the
activities in Lethbridge, including movie nights, youth and adult
[LGBTQ+] spectrum, still come out and show support. It’s about
dances, as well as presentations and workshops for all ages. The two
community,” Devon encourages.
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