Bridging communities
Every year the Saskatoon Diversity Network, along with other LGBTQ organizations and an army of volunteers and sponsors hosts the Saskatoon Pride Festival. For over twenty five years, the festival has been important in celebrating the sexuality and gender diverse community in Saskatoon, but has also been a platform for promoting support, education and awareness of the community and networking businesses, groups and individuals driven by a common cause of celebrating community pride.
“We are taught growing up to be able to define explicitly what we are. I am human, I live on Earth, I am Canadian, I am from Saskatchewan, I live in Saskatoon, I am a man and I am gay. But I am part of a bigger picture. To me the community is all the little parts working together to move forward: to bring momentum to the changes that still need to happen and to look back and celebrate the victories of the past,” said Cameron Goodfellow, Saskatoon Pride Events and Sponsorship coordinator.
Saskatoon’s LGBTQ community has come a long way since homosexuality was decriminalized in 1969 and the first activist organizations were formed in Saskatoon in 1971. In 1972 the first Gay Pride Week was requested, and turned down by City Hall. Now in 2018, the Saskatoon Pride Festival website boasts a letter of support from the Mayor.
Pride 2018 is providing the community an opportunity this year not just to celebrate the many accomplishments of LGBTQ people, but also to focus on moving forward with support and education for the fights that remain, whether that’s ageism within the community, supporting LGBTQ youth in their homes and schools, or addressing the many challenges still facing trans people, Saskatoon Pride is working hard to build bridges and tear down walls.
“A bridge creates a path from one place to another. Sometimes it’s over rough water or a gentle stream. Everyone’s journey is their own, but we can make space for one another and all of our identities. We can look back and celebrate where we came from. Together, we can look forward and see where we need to go,” said Connor Rodriguez, Saskatoon Pride cochair.
Many bridges are being built in Saskatoon for this year’s Pride Festival. Event sponsors include LGBTQ community organizations such as Outsaskatoon and Divas Nightclub working side by side with banks, radio stations, churches and restaurants.
New events are reflecting this focus on the diversity within the LGBTQ community. One important example is the Two Spirit community presenting Saskatoon’s first public Two Spirit powwow on June 16th at the University of Saskatchewan. LGBTQ First Nations people are often double marginalized, and the powwow will be a safe space for Two Spirit people, and others, to celebrate cultural differences while affirming gender and sexuality.
As always, the Pride Parade, taking place June 23, is a highlight of the festival, showcasing LGBTQ organizations and individuals, sponsors and allies. Stage shows in the park feature drag queens, singers and dancers and is a welcoming and exciting celebration of diversity. But in addition to hosting one of the largest parades in Saskatchewan, there are events throughout the city that run for two weeks and reflect the true diversity of the community.
In addition to the Two Spirit powwow, there are events like the Professional Women’s Breakfast, tree planting for those going Green, and family sports events like swimming and bowling. There are events geared specifically towards older people, younger people, Trans persons, fashionistas, golfers, artists and gamers. This year’s Pride theme, Bridging Communities, is about being able to come together and celebrate all identities without fear of judgment.
“As a transgender man from the States, I have been accepted and affirmed by the vibrant community in Saskatoon. That’s my goal for everyone who participates in any of our Pride events. Whether you’re a lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, two spirit, asexual, a youth, an older adult, a parent, a newcomer, a person of colour, or a person of faith, you have a place in our community,” said Rodriguez.
To get more information on this year’s Pride events, or find out how you can volunteer, visit the Saskatoon Pride website at www.saskatoonpride.ca or follow them on Facebook