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Aug 28, 2023

Rainbows, sunshine and serious conversations mark Capital Pride

Amid the rainbows, balloons and sunshine, there was a serious undertone to Sunday’s Capital Pride parade through downtown Ottawa. People both taking part and watching said the parade is more important

Amid the rainbows, balloons and sunshine, there was a serious undertone to Sunday’s Capital Pride parade through downtown Ottawa.

People both taking part and watching said the parade is more important than ever, given an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ hate around the world.

“It is extremely important this year because there is an increase in the amount of violence and hatred targeted towards people who are 2sLGBTQ+ and Pride is fundamentally an act of resistance against those forces of hatred and bigotry,” said Tanya King, a trans woman who is a drag performer and public servant.

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“It is very important that we show up and support each other — especially members of the community that are vulnerable.”

King, who marched with the Youth Services Bureau float, said she has experienced threats and been the victim of harassment and assault.

“There is joy in this parade, but there is a serious undertone.”

Members of businesses, charities, unions, sports organizations, diplomats and more took part in the parade that included more than 230 floats and organizations, the largest parade yet, according to organizers.

Amid the larger floats, Brian Smith and Karla Ayukawa with the Ottawa Tool Library pulled a float behind a bicycle and handed out screwdrivers.

“The message is ‘You can fix it’,” Smith said.

Earlier, Fae Johnstone, who is Capital Pride’s grand marshal, said she was thrilled to see an estimated 2,000-3,000 people show up for Friday’s March for Trans Rights. The turnout was many times more than in past years, she said.

Johnstone said that reflects the strong community support for the trans community, which has been the focus of a growing anti-trans movement.

“We have warned about this rise in hate for years. We are gearing up as a community to mobilize further. This weekend we celebrate. Come Monday, we advocate.”

As Pride was getting underway in downtown Ottawa on Saturday, a Barrhaven woman says a car drove up onto her lawn and ran over a Pride flag with the words “let’s just be good to each other” printed on it. The incident was captured on video and posted on social media.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, says she has no doubt the act was deliberate and it is not the first act of aggression toward the sign that her husband had made.

“It’s disgusting behaviour. It’s heartbreaking. It’s unacceptable. And it shows that people are getting far too comfortable displaying hate.”

She filed a complaint with Ottawa police.

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