Saint John Pride 2019 kicked off with flag-raisings, at HMCS Brunswicker and City Hall, on Tuesday, August 6th, 2019. (Tamara Steele)
The pride flag has been raised outside city hall in Saint John meaning 2019 Pride week is underway with a host of activities including a parade on Saturday.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long joined deputy mayor Shirley McAlary and Pride president Michael Cummings to raise the flag on Tuesday.
Long says he’s proud of the Liberal government’s record when it comes to the LGBTQ2+ community.
“With the legislation, we’ve passed enshrining their rights in the charter. I’m very very proud that we are going to have a large team here on Saturday night because we will march. I’ll just say this. Leaders do march and we should all as political leaders be at these events.” Long said.
Saint John Pride is pleased to honour Ada McKim as the 2019 Saint John Pride Parade Marshal.Ada Alice McKim has been a…
Posted by Saint John Pride on Wednesday, July 24, 2019
This year’s parade marshal is a teacher and LGBTQ2+ advocate, Ada McKim, who is travelling back to Saint John on Tuesday after getting married in Germany.
Common Councillor David Hickey says she has always been a consistent advocate for the LGBTQ2+ community even before she was part of it.
McKim was Hickey’s political science teacher in high school.
“[She] embodied what it meant to be part of an inclusive and engaged community. In the class I took with her she really offered a lot of perspective and did a good job of engaging with students. It’s something I have always remembered.” Hickey said.
The pride flag was raised in Saint John on Tuesday and immediately lowered again to honour the passing of lieutenant-governor Jocelyne Roy Vienneau who died on Friday.
The Pride flag was raised at City hall earlier. Saint John MP Wayne Long joined Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary and Saint John Pride president Michael Cummings at noon today. pic.twitter.com/pslz8RWqsq
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) August 6, 2019
Michael Cummings, President of Saint John Pride says there are a number of new events this year, including an art show being held at the Colbalt Art Gallery.
“The art show is titled ‘Queer’s Eye View’ and there’s pieces of work submitted by LGTBQ+ individuals as well as allies. That’s the first time in a long time that Saint John pride has had an art show and has been able to display art of this kind,” he said in an interview.
The art show opened Tuesday and will be there all week.
He says there will be another new event on Wednesday: an LGTBQ+ healthcare panel being held at the Mary Oland Theatre, where members of the community can ask experts their questions both anonymously and in person.
Cummings says he’s noticed the support for Pride grow over the years.
“We see more and more people coming to the events every year, not only the parade but the events during the week. The events are also well attended by our allies as well. It’s interesting to see how far the movement has come and the support from the community has come as well,” he said.
As well as community support, both Saint John City Hall and the HMCS Brunswicker will fly the flag all week long.
Cummings says the gesture is very symbolic.
“In many countries it’s illegal to be gay. They would never fly that flag. In New Brunswick and in Canada, the Navy ship actually raises the flag. The HMCS Brunswicker will actually fly the Pride flag while it’s at sea. That’s very symbolic as well,” he said.
More information on Pride events can be found online.
With files from Tamara Steele and Danielle McCreadie
