Pride Week officially kicked off with a flag raising ceremony at the Civic Centre in downtown Chatham Monday afternoon.
Mayor Randy Hope and president of the Chatham-Kent Gay Pride Association, Marianne Willson, made speeches before the flag was officially flown. Both talked about how progressive and inclusive the municipality had become and Willson said seeing the flag go up the pole never loses its luster.
"It gives me goosebumps even today," Willson said. "It says 'wow! I'm recognized, I am safe here. I am welcomed here and I can exist without persecution. It still gives me goosebumps today and I hope it always does."
While Pride week has been celebrated for over a decade in CK, this is the first year there will be a parade. According to Willson, the addition of the rainbow crosswalk and how everyone reacted proved the municipality was ready.
"We were concerned about any kind of negative feedback, but in fact, we were blessed and overwhelmed with all the positivity we've got back from the community," Willson said. "We recognized that this is the time. The tide has changed. This is the time diversity can be reached in Chatham-Kent."
Willson admitted there were some negative reactions to the crosswalk. She said those comments help generate conversation about inclusion, so no matter how much someone wants to hate, it only helps the cause.
"You're not going to change everybody's mind and that's not what we're here to do," Willson said. "We're simply here to raise [awareness] to have the conversation out in the open. I'm not about to change anyone like they're not about to change me. This is about conversation, education, acceptance and embracing each other as we are all part of this community."
Willson said she has seen a big change in the attitude towards inclusion within CK in over the last five years. She added people who aren't even associated with an LQBTQ member are sticking up for the community to silence and educate anyone trying to oppress them.
According to Willson, volunteers are still needed to help with the parade. Anyone interested can register up until Saturday morning at 8am the Civic Centre. The parade will start at 9am followed by a family event in Tecumseh Park in Chatham.
Mayor Hope added all the flags at the Civic Centre will be at half-mast to honour those who lost their lives in the Fredericton shooting.
