“This party is a protest.”

That’s the theme of this year’s St. John’s Pride Festival now underway with dozens of events planned over the coming days.

The official flag raising took place yesterday at St. John’s city hall.

St. John’s Pride Co-Chair Eddy St. Coeur says the theme speaks to the roots of the Pride movement and the importance of visibility in feeling safe in the community.

“Pride creates protection,” says St. Coeur, “and people who are coming out and finding their pockets of the community strengthens their protections knowing that hate is out there.

“It’s a party and it’s a celebration…we deserve those moments of celebration…that’s not something that we can do in everyday spaces.”