‘We deserve this day like everybody else’ Dustin Cook
Prominent LGBTQ activist marries at Patricia Lake Park to cap off Pride month
Longtime LGBTQ activist Marni Panas said she hoped her outdoor wedding in Griesbach Sunday afternoon would provide visibility and hope for the “bruised” community.
If the number of bystanders out for an afternoon stroll who took a seat on a bench at Patricia Lake Park to watch the wedding celebration is any indication, her voice was heard.
Panas, a transgender woman, said it was important the wedding be part of her activism, and so tying the knot on the last day of Pride month fit the bill perfectly.
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City and the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada.
“We wanted to be visible and be a legacy for all of the work over the last 50 years for equity,” she said. “To take these moments to celebrate and also know our work isn’t done.”
Standing under a Pride flag waving in the early afternoon sunshine, Panas and her non-binary partner Kate Beneteau affirmed their love for each other, a love that was apparent when they met in Camrose two-and-a-half years ago.
Panas was hosting a workshop on her life experiences and transition, Beneteau happened to be attending.
“I used to think that we met by chance, but now I know without a doubt the universe put you in front of me so we can spend the rest of our lives together,” Beneteau said.
Officiating the wedding, Edmonton-Centre MP Randy Boissonnault said the LGBTQ community will continue to face hardships and the newlyweds will stand as a symbol of love.
“You will become part of the legacy of the great debate and you will be living proof of what it means to extend human rights to all people,” he said.
Panas said Alberta’s LGBTQ community has taken some hits over the last few months, and has concerns around new rules for gay-straight alliance groups, and conversion therapy discussions highlighting provincial issues.
Edmonton’s Pride parade and festival were cancelled this year, which inspired Panas to take the opportunity to be visible and provide hope for youth looking for shoulders to stand on.
“Our community feels a little bit bruised recently,” she said.
“We deserve this day like everybody else, we want to celebrate like everybody else.”
And celebrate they did as 110 guests in attendance sent them off with thunderous applause as the wedding party followed the couple and Panas’ 12-year-old son Alex out of the park waving a Pride flag.