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The 32nd annual Vancouver Pride Parade took place with an estimated crowd of over 600,000.
It’s been a busy summer for human rights particularly with pride events around BC including a number of first time events taking place along with the more established events.
One of the first time pride events took place in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. “Both events [dance and Sunday picnic] were well attended and…seemed to have a special glow of pride, confidence and a wonderful feeling of togetherness,” says Rosalind Humphreys, a member of the BC Government and service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE). Humphreys is one of the founders of Island Central Pride, a group providing support and events for the GLBT community in the Comox Valley.
BCGEU Equity + Human Rights Committee member Roger Street noted that the city of New Westminster, BC’s oldest city, also celebrated its “first ever Pride Day” with this year’s theme, “Diversity – Celebrating our Chosen Families.”
In Vancouver, the 32nd annual Vancouver Pride Parade took place with an estimated crowd of over 600,000. BCGEU president Darryl Walker and a contingent of BCGEU members, activists (including Street), officers and staff joined with the BC Federation of Labour and other unions as part of the Multi-Union Pride float. Street donned a bear suit and was a popular subject for photographers. “I am proud to be a union member and getting dressed up as a bear was just a great way to give back to the GLBT community.” The Multi-Union Pride float won the “Captivating Community Cluster” 2010 Pride Parade Award.
The Vancouver Pride Parade capped off a summer of Pride events with BCGEU members also participating in Pride celebrations in Campbell River, Surrey, East Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria, Prince George, and the Kootenays.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE