The Chair of St. John’s Pride is reflecting on a successful Pride festival this year.
After a whirlwind few months that included the election of a new board of directors, Pride Month celebrations, and the annual St. John’s Pride Festival, St. John’s Pride is reflecting on lessons learned from this year.
Chair Eddy St. Coeur says they heard a lot of positive feedback on this year’s Pride festival. He says much of the reason behind the success is that the events were community led.
He says St. John’s Pride didn’t set the events that were happening this year, but instead approached the community and asked what they needed to make their own events successful. He says the short timeline may have forced a great outcome.
St. Coeur says something this festival was eye-opening on how diverse the issues are facing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
He says when you add layers of race or Indigeneity on top of the issues facing the wider LGBTQ+ community, you see how hurt and afraid some people are, as they do not know if the spaces they enter are safe. He says there is still a lot of work to be done in education.
Pride in the Park is happening right now and it’s a party! Come celebrate at Bannerman Park right now! Live performances, face painting, and lots of friends! #yyt #newfoundland #vocmsummer #roadshow2023 pic.twitter.com/p6jEJ2h97m
— YOUR VOCM (@590VOCM) July 23, 2023
