Participants march in the 2022 Lethbridge Pride Parade, June 25, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

By Drew Stremick

Lethbridge Pride events attract hundreds to celebrate the community

Jun 25, 2022 | 2:48 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Pride Parade got underway on Saturday, June 25, 2022. Close to 1,000 people came out to show their support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The parade started at Civic Centre Gardens located at Stafford Drive South and 6 Avenue South, and made its way to Galt Gardens downtown.

The action didn’t stop once the parade ended at Galt Gardens, though. Once the parade wrapped up, the festivities for the 14th Annual Pride in the Park got underway.

Pride in the Park features 14 performers this year, and also includes a large play area for kids, food trucks, and even beer gardens.

Hundreds of people celebrate Lethbridge Pride at Galt Gardens, June 25, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

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Breanne Otis (she/her), who was at Pride in the Park celebrating, says she she loves it. “I love celebrating pride both with my friends and just being a part of a big, large, happy community that is, you know, kind of not really visually seen too much inside Lethbridge,” Otis said, “but it’s great to see the big engagement we have.”

That engagement is needed according to Otis, as the recent events in the United States have her concerned about what could possibly happen in Canada.

“The right to autonomy to our bodies, especially what’s happening in the States right now. We are in charge of our own rights. The government doesn’t really have, shouldn’t have a say to what I do with my body,” said Otis. “I think it’s really important to remember that it takes a community, and a village to support each other. And having the viewpoint of, you know, some person is telling me I can’t do anything with my body that I want to do with it isn’t right. And I want to definitely show my support and I want to stand against that and help people keep their bodies autonomous to themselves and all the services they can get for themselves.”

Onlookers watch the Pride Parade as it makes its way to Galt Gardens in Lethbridge, June 25, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

River Stone (they/he) also took part in the celebration today, and they say it’s important to attend Pride and show support for the community.

“It’s a good celebration of finding not only people within your community, but also celebrating that community in and of itself, and I think that’s really important,” Stone said. “I like coming out, showing my support for my fellow queers, and getting some protected public recognition.”

Stone added that with this being the first in-person celebration in two years, it’s extra important to show up and support those who were impacted by the pandemic, as it was especially hard on certain members of the community.

“The pandemic really took a toll on all of us, but especially the immunocompromised and disabled,” said Stone. “So, for all of us to be able to come out and be together, without a whole lot of worry about the pandemic anymore, I think it’s really important that we get to see each other, because everybody lost community over the pandemic. So, I think this is a good revitalization of that.”

If you’re interested in taking part in any of the Pride events happening around Lethbridge this weekend, you can visit the Lethbridge Pride website.