By Jill Sperling

Thousands participate in second annual downtown Kamloops Pride Parade

Aug 26, 2018 | 2:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — The second annual Downtown Kamloops Pride Parade was held Sunday morning, and organizers are happy with how many people showed up despite the less than ideal weather conditions.

“It feels like to us, I think, LGBTQ2S+ Christmas,” Kamloops Pride President Kirstin McLaughlin said. “It was just an amazing turnout, despite smoke, despite rain, we still had numbers that had to have at least totaled last year if not more. We’re just absolutely thrilled with the response.” 

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McLaughlin says many events leading up to the parade were sold out, showing the appetite Kamloops has for these types of events. 

She says the parade is necessary as long as people feel fear in being themselves. 

“We still see homophobia, transphobia in our communities, couples are still afraid to walk down the street holding hands,” McLaughlin said. “As long as we still have to do risk assessments before being our authentic selves in our daily lives then we do need Pride parades.” 

by Jill Sperling

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