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For Immediate Release
Pride Week 2012 July 4-8 Theme Announced
“Phoenix”
Prince George – In 1997 Prince George experience its first Pride Parade in response to a growing anti-gay movement at the time. Now in 2012 the Prince George Pride Society is marking the 15th Anniversary of Pride Week. With just over a hundred attendees in 1997, the Pride Parade alone has grown to nearly 400 individual participants and many local businesses and community organizations including Prince George Community Policing. And in 2010 Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers was the first Mayor to walk proudly in the Pride Parade.
Pride Prince George President, Valentine Crawford says, “When we were considering possible themes for this year we really started talking about the process of coming out of the closet and what sort of things all of us have gone through. In the end we ended up with the Phoenix because of what it symbolized in relation to coming out: Rebirth, Inspiration, Vision, and Beauty.”
Rebirth: We are reborn when we come out as we shed feelings of silence
Vision : We gain new vision into the world as we see with new, young eyes
Beauty: We are beautiful people with a beautiful culture
Inspiration : We inspire those who are fearful and lost
Even 15 Years later and the relevance of the Pride Movement is still important and relevant to everyone in our community as it represents not just the Gay Rights movement around the world but it is a symbol of strength and unity in the fight for equality and justice for everyone regardless of sexuality. Pride Prince George President Valentine Crawford says, “There has been an increase over the past three years of Pride Parades and court challenges around the world and in many places people continue to fight and die for the rights and freedoms we enjoy here in Canada, and we will continue to lend our voice to those who are silenced and oppressed for who they are.”
Pride Week in Prince George has grown from a three day weekend event to a five day extravaganza of events and activities for the entire community to enjoy and we invite the entire community to take in the celebration this summer as we stand strong and proud for our community, our families, equality and justice.
“This year we are empowering the Rebirth of those who have the courage to stand and be who they are; We are Inspiring everyone to make a difference in the world; We are daring to have a vision of a world free from hate and silence; and We are celebrating the Beauty in each of us.” says Valentine Crawford.
Official Events: (some events subject to changes)
July 4th – Pride Bowling Night at Black Diamond Bowling Lanes
July 5th – Drag Queen Bingo (Details to come)
July 6th – Drag Show at the Ramada Hotel
July 7 – Pride Parade & Festival at City Hall
Pride Celebration Party at the Civic Centre – 8pm
July 8 – Pride Brunch at the Ramada Hotel |
