Vancouver Pride: All politicians in parade will march together

Any politicians taking part in the Vancouver Pride parade will be walking alongside others in this summer’s event.

The Vancouver Pride Society points to the 2022 festival’s theme of “Together Again,” noting parties marched together in the last parade, which was held in 2019.

“Every political party is welcome to submit nominations to be in the parade,” said Lee Keple, interim executive director with the Vancouver Pride Society. “They are run through the parade matrix we set up, along with … every other group or person that wants to march.

“Instead of having … different parties doing their own thing, we’re inviting them to march together for the energy of what I think is democracy in action. By all means, wear your colours, whatever political party you’re representing, bring your candidates … The more the merrier. But let’s do it together.”

Keple acknowledges politicians of different stripes may not want to literally join arms at the parade, adding they are not forcing or asking them to do so.

“I hope they take it in the spirit that it was intended. So far, those who have put in applications seem okay with it. The ones who know what the policy is have said, ‘Alright, we can work with that.’ That really excites me,” they said.

Related article: Vancouver Pride festival back in person for July 2022

The 44th Vancouver Pride festival, including the parade, is back to “business as usual” July. The 2020 and 2021 parades were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but virtual and some in-person events were held.

The parade draws an estimated 400,000 people to the Downtown core.

For their part, Keple feels it’s important for political parties to be involved with events across the country.

“Pride is born out of a protest movement, about seeing injustice in the world and using whatever means available to effect positive change … political parties marching is saying, ‘We endorse this. We too are trying to move the bar forward.'”

In addition to the parade, the Sunset Beach Festival is returning this year. The Unicorn Ball is also back at the Imperial on Main Street. The in-person 19+ event on May 13 raises money for the Vancouver Pride Society’s Community Bursaries. Tickets went on sale April 1.

Nominations are also open for this year’s Pride Grand Marshals. They historically have been 2SLGBTQAI+ serving people or groups who have made a positive difference in the community.

If you want to nominate someone, you can do so online by April 15, 2022.

With files from Lasia Kretzel