LGBTQ2S+ community marched with Pride Sunday

“This is my first ever Pride Parade, so it’s really exciting,” said Rocky Ronald, a bisexual non-binary person.

Some local LGBTQ2S+ people told CFJC Today that although they’ve experienced some negativity due to their identity, Kamloops is a welcoming and friendly place.

“Overall, [it’s] pretty positive. Every once in a while I get a weird look when I’m out with my girlfriend, and stuff like that, but overall, most people are like, rock on,” said Laura Horton, a lesbian.

“The odd person, especially in certain parts of Kamloops, I find, will be super [redneck], and they’ll be kind of conservative, but people aren’t usually outspoken about their negative opinions,” said Ares Nazaruk, a young transmasculine person.

“They usually just kind of keep it to themselves which is nice.”

“Usually I’ve had pretty positive experiences, I’ve never really had anyone be like mean to me or anything,” said Ronald.

It was a significant day for many — the pandemic gave them alone time to figure out their identity and today was the first time they’d celebrated it at Pride.

“This is my first Pride, it’s been pretty fun, it’s been great,” said Horton.

“This is my second Pride ever, and the first one I was not out yet. So it was more me looking around trying to figure stuff out,” said Ashley Lindbergh, a trans woman.

“This one in particular really surprised me — there’s so many more people that came, and it’s just such a positive environment. The last one really pushed me and helped me figure myself out though.”

by Stephanie Swensrude

LGBTQ2S+ community marched with Pride Sunday

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