For the second consecutive year, Estevan will be hosting activities in honour of Pride Week.
The week of May 22 to 28 has been proclaimed as Pride Week in Estevan. Moose Jaw Pride is at the helm of the activities in Estevan, as well as in Weyburn, and their education co-ordinator, Laura Budd, said the organization hopes to have a good turnout for the various events.
The local celebrations will kick off with a flag-raising ceremony in front of city hall on May 24 at noon. Budd hopes they will attract a larger crowd than last year, when a similar ceremony drew more than 70 people to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.
“Obviously it’s dependent on weather … but I think it’s just a matter of being present, and showing people that the cities of Weyburn and Estevan are inclusive places, that they do welcome and support the LGBTQ community, and I’m confident that we will have people attend,” said Budd.
A Share the Love postcard-making workshop will happen that night at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM) at 7 p.m.
The following afternoon there will be another flag-raising ceremony at the Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) at 5:30 p.m. Supporters will then stage a Pride March to the nearby Torgeson Park, where they will enjoy a barbecue and a round of Frisbee golf.
Budd said they have invited the gay-straight alliances and school dignitaries to attend the event at ECS and Torgeson Park, to show the schools are more aware of issues facing the LGBTQ community.
“They are working on language and being supportive, so that our students know that they are respected and valued here in Estevan and Weyburn,” said Budd.
Anyone is welcome to attend the event on May 25.
Moose Jaw Pride is also teaming up with the Estevan Arts Council and the EAGM for the Rachel Elizabeth concert at the EAGM on May 26 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is the first event in the city for the new Spark arts program being launched by the Estevan Arts Council, and is being billed as inclusive for all people.
Finally, there will be a Pride church service at 10 a.m. at St. Giles Anglican Church on May 28.
“In many communities, it’s become part of Pride events, to try to reconcile the church with the LGBTQ community, and basically welcome people back to the church who are LGBTQ, and may not have felt welcome in the past,” said Budd. “We’re working with many denominations now to try to make that connection again, and to bridge that gap.”
Budd noted the activities in Estevan will mostly alternate with those in Weyburn during Pride Week, which should allow people in rural communities to attend.
