Raising the flag with pride (7 photos)

Members of our local LGBTQ community and allies gathered at City Hall Saturday afternoon for a Pride Flag Raising Ceremony to kick off Pride Week and the fourth annual Sault Pridefest. In attendance were dignitaries Mayor Christian Provenzano, MPP Ross Romano, and MP Terry Sheehan.

It’s an important day for the community, said Ashley Lariviere, Pridefest lead coordinator, especially for Sault Ste. Marie’s queer youth.

“It’s important that people in the LGBTQ community are able to come out and be seen,” she said. “We need our queer youth to feel safe, feel comfortable, and they need to know the community supports them. They need to know there’s people out there that love them for who they are.”  

“This is a sign of solidarity and a sign that we’re standing together saying it doesn’t matter who you love,” said MPP Ross Romano. “Any opportunity the community has to stand together for a cause and show we are united on it is always a good opportunity.”

He saw his involvement in the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony as a chance to lead by example, he said.

“To see the three levels of government standing here – the elected leaders of our community to all be here together and share in this moment – I think is showing the community that this is something that we need to all do together,” Romano said.

By design, Pridefest has always been an inclusive celebration. As it continues to grow, Lariviere said she’d like to see all members of the community, queer and otherwise, partake in the festivities. She’d also like to see a variety pride events happening throughout the year, not just during Pride Week.

New to Pridefest this year are a number of events, including a cosplay family picnic, a photo exhibit by Ali Pearson, all-ages family Karaoke, and an acoustic night at Loplops Lounge. To see a full list of Pridefest events and activities, please click here.