Raising the rainbow flag in front of city hall isn't just a symbol to mark the start of Pride Week in Prince George, but also a signal that refuge is available, said one of the organizers of this week's festivities.
"It's a symbol that it is okay and you will be okay and you have people to support you, that when you're ready or whatever it is that gets you to that point, there is a lot of people to turn to and that will be there for you," said Pride Prince George president Valentine Crawford following Monday afternoon's flag raising.
Mayor Lyn Hall declared July 6-12 Pride Week in Prince George, kicking off a week of activities meant to celebrate the LGBTQ community and their place in the community as a whole.
"It's a recognition that we are part of Prince George," Crawford said of the flag flying at city hall. "We contribute economically, socially, culturally. Pride is a cultural event, it is a social event and is an economic driver. We raise our families here, we are born and raised here, we go to school. We do play a huge part in what makes Prince George a great place."
Flying that flag is part of recognizing that Prince George is an inclusive community," said Hall, who noted that city council will have a presence at Saturday's pride parade and that there are a variety of community partners who have stepped forward to help support Pride.
The centrepiece event begins at 11:30 a.m. at city hall, winding its way through downtown streets. A Pride Festival will also take place on the city hall lawn Saturday, featuring food, activities and entertainment starting at 10:30 a.m.
But despite all of the strides forward the city and society in general has made since the first Pride was held in Prince George 19 years ago, there's still work to be done, said Crawford.
Things are still difficult for many people, he said, whether it's those in the transgender community continuing to fight for their rights as well as young people afraid to come out.
But there are reasons to celebrate, such as the June 26 decision by the United States Supreme Court to make same-sex marriage a constitutional right.
"It's amazing that the U.S. has done what they've done and advancing as fast as they can to catch up with us (in Canada), but we have to recognize that even though we have what we have here, that our continued visibility and our presence in our communities helps those that are being persecuted around the world," Crawford said. "And that if they do need to flee they have a safe place they can go that is okay to be who you are."
