NewWestPride delegated at the City Council July 7th, and the Mayor read the Proclamation official declaring Pride Week from August 8 to 16 – August 16th is the street festival on Columbia Street from 3pm onwards.

President of the organization, Katie Stobbart, made opening remarks on Zoom and other delegates gave the particulars of the event at the Council Chambers in person.  As explained, the celebratory week begins on August 8th with the raising of the Pride flag at City Hall and there will be a whole host of events during the whole week with the street festival being the big attraction to finish things off. 

Katie closed the presentation with a strong statement about the importance of the Pride event, not only as a celebration, but most importantly as a form of advocacy, so needed at a time when particularly transgender people are experiencing heavy oppression and even violence. They provided some very frightening statistics with respect to murder and suicide in this group. They also expressed strong concern about the migration of the anti-2SLGBTQQIA+ views that have infected the U.S. and Alberta.

They underlined that the community needs allies....allies not only in spirit, but in direct action. They said that the word 'ally' should be seen as a verb.

Councillors praised the group for their hard work in putting on a week-long event, and all made clear their support for the community. Mayor Patrick Johnstone spoke passionately to the need for supporting the transgender community as well as all who identified under the 'pride' umbrella.

A photo was taken of the present delegates with the Mayor, and the Mayor read the Proclamation later.