THUNDER BAY – The weather on Saturday was perfect for the first Pride parade and festival since 2019, which brought out thousands of participants.
The parade started at Hillcrest Park and ended with a festival at Waverley Park.
Scotia Kauppi, chair of Thunder Pride, said she was amazed by the turnout.
“I think this always sends the most positive, inspiring message that Pride lives here.”
The day featured speeches, live performers, drag queens and drag kings, artists, a photo booth, a kids’ zone with bouncy castles, face painting, horse and buggy rides, and more.
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler from Nishnawbe Aski Nation attended the parade and festival.
“I think it's important to be here to show that all of us are part of this community – that we're part of this one family,” he said.
Fiddler was impressed with the turnout, including the many people he saw from NAN.
“I just want to be here to show that support on behalf of so many people here.”
Fiddler said the inspiration for NAN’s Pride flag came from attending Pride events in Thunder Bay.
“I was walking with my wife a couple of years ago down the street here and she suggested to me that we should have a pride flag for NAN and that's what we did.”
Steph Skelton attended the festival with a group who wanted to bring attention to the plight of the Palestinian people.
“Since the beginning of Pride with the Stonewall riots, Pride has always been political. To be queer has always been political,” Skelton said.
“Right now our hearts are going out to Palestine. We fought for our rights as queer people . . . We need to both continue fighting for our rights as they're being eroded, but also for the rights of others who are coming under threat right now.”
Skelton disagreed with having police at the Pride parade and festival, stating that “police have historically disregarded queer lives.”
Kauppi said the 2SLGTBQIA+ community has a lot of reconciliation to do with the police. She pointed out that the chief of police recently had a productive conversation with community members.
“I'm happy to have police here protecting us and keeping our streets safe while we're having our parade and festival,” she said.
