Flourishing Pride Week a barometer of rising acceptance
While a flourishing Calgary Pride Week is a barometer of rising acceptance, it can still be a lightning rod for resentment, says Craig Sklenar.
The spokesman for Calgary Pride said the annual celebration for the LGBTQ2S community that kicked off Friday reflects its increasing fusion with society’s mainstream.
But it can still provoke a backlash of anger and fear which only affirms the need for the event, said Sklenar.
“It’s important until we don’t hear that anymore — and to have a safe, free environment where the people in our community aren’t the odd ones out,” he said.
“We do it because it’s the one day in the entire year some people in the community can be who they are and show how diverse our community is.”
The week, which runs through Sept. 4 and culminates the same day with the downtown parade, launched its 26th year Friday with a “Dirty Bingo” fundraiser followed by a series of cabarets, concerts, brunches, film screenings, panel discussions, comedy shows and gay Calgary history walks.
Questions of its inclusiveness have been raised over a decision by organizers to screen politicians wanting to participate in a parade that’s grown to a record size, 140 entries and 4,000 marchers that are expected to draw 60,000 onlookers.
Sklenar said it’s merely a way to ensure politicians park their hypocrisy and insincerity ahead of the downtown walk.
Lawmakers are being asked to detail how they have supported equal rights for the LGBTQ2S community.
“We want to ensure those marching in the parade aren’t doing so for advertising purposes,” he said.
While most politicians are being vetted, Premier Rachel Notley was instantly invited, while Coun. Richard Pootmans will represent the city.
Sklenar said the only other politicians on the list so far are Calgary Centre federal Liberal MP Kent Hehr and Calgary-North West PC MLA Sandra Jansen.
The organizer said “we haven’t seen any applications we would have rejected,” adding there will be representatives from all the major provincial political parties in the parade.
In the wake of attempts to ban police from future Toronto Pride Parades, Calgary organizers say members of the local force are fully welcome at their celebration.
Even so, a Calgary Pride news release states “all parties acknowledge there is work to be done to improve relationships between police and segments of the community.”
“We do hear stories about sys- temic racism from certain community groups ... there needs to be a broader community discussion on how to address that through education,” said Sklenar.
He said acceptance for the LGBTQ2S community needs to extend beyond the Police Diversity Unit and into the rest of the force.
Const. Andy Buck of the force’s Diversity Unit agrees, saying some in the LGBTQ2S community remain reluctant to report incidents involving citizen abuse or police conduct.
“It’s clear to some members of that community there are barriers to reporting incidents and we have to see why that is and what we can do to work together,” he said.
But Buck said the parade invitation to police is a huge positive, adding he hopes 50-60 CPS staff participate.
Those topics could come up for discussion in the Calgary Pride’s first Diversity Symposium to be held in November at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It will explore equality themes and policies.
Meanwhile, in a Canadian first for a pride parade, the Calgary edition will feature a squadron in fezzes and tiny cars — local Shriners will be riding with the floats and marchers.
We do it because it’s the one day in the entire year some people in the community can be who they are.