Vancouver Pride keeping an eye out for security risks ahead of July event

Vancouver Pride may be more than a month away still but in Toronto, their parade this weekend is coming with heightened security concerns.

Pride Toronto organizers will be beefing up security measures, with weapons checkpoints set up throughout this weekend.

This comes as 2SLGBTQ+ events have been seeing threats issued against them across North America.

Michelle Fortin with Vancouver Pride says there’s no threat right now but it’s something they’re keeping an eye on.

“We have to take safety into consideration. Obviously, we don’t want to put anyone’s heart in harm’s way. We also want to be able to push back and not create panic in our community and remind people that the majority of Canadians and citizens support the 2SLGBTQAI community.”

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Fortin adds, those opposed to the 2SLGBTQ+ community “there are more of us in support of human rights of trans rights in this country than there aren’t, and well there seems to be this bubbling up of sentiment, it is not reflective of the majority of folks.”

“I think what we need to do is make sure that our voices are loud, and they’re consistent, and they’re proud about the diversity that Canadians want to see in their communities. So we’ll just continue to push back and be present. There are more of us than there are of them,” Fortin says.

Vancouver Pride is working with police and other community members to ensure safety during this year’s festivities.

Vancouver Pride returns completely in person this year for the first time in two years with the parade set for the end of June.