June is Pride Month in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The provincial government marked the day today with a special celebration and flag raising inside the lobby of Confederation Building.

The event featured a special musical performance by recording artist Evelyn Jess and a speech on the importance of queer history by the Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Queer Research Initiative, Sarah Worthman.

Chair of St. John’s Pride, Eddy St. Coeur, often fields questions on why Pride Day or Pride Month is necessary, and outlined on VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly why it’s important.

He says you can consider all the advancements made over the years, but the fact remains that people within the community are continuing to receive threats, and “that’s why Pride is important.”

She says in the wake of rising homophobia and transphobia, this Pride Month is shaping up to be the most important one in recent history.@VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/32J6BVfPn0

— Noah Sheppard (@SheppardNoah14) June 1, 2023