This year marked the ninth annual Pride Festivities in Lethbridge. In nine years, Pride has come quite a long way. ‘The Lethbridge Pride Fest Society became an incorporated society in Alberta in 2011. Taking over the work of GALA/LA (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area) Lethbridge Pride Fest Society has a proud history of celebrating and to promoting equality for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Two-Spirit, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual community. The first Lethbridge Pride Festival was held in 2007 and consisted of a BBQ on the outskirts of Lethbridge and a dance roughly 20 minutes outside of city limits. Lethbridge’s first pride was organized by a handful of individuals who had a dream that Lethbridge Pride Fest would grow and rival major center’s like Edmonton or Calgary’.

This year’s festivities are quite bigger and brighter than the communities’ humble beginnings. List of events include: a crash course on Queer Terminology, swing dancing, support groups, International Pride Rally and even a Princess Show. The family friendly events made for a wonderful community gathering for celebration and remembrance.

In preparation for festivities, the Pride Committee in Lethbridge proudly painted two crosswalks in bright rainbow colours. In a direct attack on the LGBTQ community, the crosswalks were left with visible skid marks late in the night of their unveiling. A street sweeper attempted to wash away the marks before the morning. "Unfortunately, the marks are still visible, but our spirits are higher than ever. This will not bring us down," said the organization’s release.

Devon Hargreaves, Pride Fest Chair says the community is trying to focus on the positive and move on. "The purpose of the crosswalks in the first place is to be a symbol of unity as well as respect. "They indicated to us that it helped bring their pride community stronger together."

The voice of the courageous and proud rang much louder than the actions of those that chose hatred. The community band together, and Pride celebrations rivalled those of Calgary and Edmonton.

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Contributor Lisa Lunney |

Locale Lethbridge |

Topic Gay Pride | Lethbridge Pride |