Guelph Pride celebrated its 15th anniversary on Saturday with a flag raising and community barbecue in Market Square.
Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield, MPP Liz Sandals and Mayor Cam Guthrie were all on hand for the event, joining around 100 others who gathered to hear speeches, be entertained by the Rainbow Chorus of Waterloo-Wellington and TroyBoy Entertainment drag performers, share information and celebrate the local Pride community by raising the Pride flag on the city flag pole alongside the City of Guelph and Canada flags.
Guelph Pride Week is halfway through its 15 days of activities, an annual celebration extended this year to mark the 15th anniversary. For a complete list of remaining events go to www.guelphpride.com.
Jamie Clinch, regional vice-president with title sponsor RBC Canada, said this is a time of change around the world, and while there is a lot to celebrate, there is still a lot of work to do.
"It's very important to take a moment to say that we each deserve to be proud of who we are and who we love. And that is what today is really about," Clinch said.
Mayor Cam Guthrie, helping raise the Pride flag for the fourth time, said it was nice to see the transgender flag also raised for the first time this year.
"We're a very inclusive employer here," Guthrie said, praising the administration side of City Hall for its openness and inclusiveness, not just the political side.
Guelph MPP Liz Sandals she has seen Guelph Pride grow exponentially over the 15 years.
"Fifteen years ago it was just sort of one weekend and you had to know where to find Guelph Pride and now you find this huge event that goes for two weeks and you're right in the heart of the city, in the heart of the community, and I think that's so important," Sandals said.
Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield said he is proud to be part of a government that looks at gender diversity as "one of our main pillars, of respecting the rights of every Canadian, regardless of who you are or who you love."
