Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival 2011 (Pride Week in Vancouver)
Normally, I would spend a substantial amount of time preparing to cover the Vancouver Pride Parade throughout the West End and the subsequent Festival at Second Beach, and not only attend the events of Pride Week 2011, which begins with Picnic in the Park on Saturday July 23rd and ends on Sunday July 30th with the Vancouver Pride Parade. But my Mom is here for the month of July, and spending time with her takes precedence over any event coverage, even if it is directly relevant to my blog and lifestyle. But there’s a lot that I owe to Pride and to the queer community in Vancouver, and thus I think it’s important that I highlight what’s coming up next week.
The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) puts a lot of effort into this amazing celebration of queer culture. I was watching Milk (the movie) with my Mom the other day and we both were shedding tears by the end of it. I think it should be required viewing for everybody, as it is a beautiful piece of art about acceptance and love (regardless of sexual orientation). I think it’s important to reflect on what the goal of Pride is and what it means for queer youth and adults.
The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) brings together members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBTTQ community by producing quality, inclusive events such as the Pride Parade and Festival. We strive to produce events that reflect the pride the LGBTTQ community has in itself and its contribution to the larger community. In doing so, the VPS strengthens a sense of community, and as such contributes to the vibrancy, health and overall well-being of all persons in the LGBTTQ community. In achieving our goals, we both operate within the framework set out in our Constitution and By-laws, and operate with due regard to the responsibilities outlined in the Society Act.
I would very strongly encourage you to attend the events of the Vancouver Pride Week 2011. I feel very blessed that in the past 2-3 years, I’ve become really good friends with many of the folks who cover queer issues in the media, both mainstream and in the social media realm. That’s one of the great things I gained from participating in the blogging world: great new friends. And I look forward to celebrating Pride with them next Sunday as well as with my Mom.
You can check the calendar of events for Vancouver Pride Week 2011 here. Several other of my friends in the queer community have posted their previews, which you can check below.
