Image: CFJC Today / 2023 Kamloops Pride Parade
One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Pride committee deserves praise for a great week

Sep 1, 2023 | 5:00 AM

THE KAMLOOPS PRIDE COMMITTEE deserves a major shout-out for a great week of activities that ended last Sunday. The events reached out to a wide variety of groups in an effort to promote understanding of issues faced by the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community.

Gender rights are a controversial topic right now, and the subject of protests and laws that limit the human rights of that community. Some use religion as justification for their opposition, conveniently taking snippets from the Bible to prove their point.

Others just have preconceived notions that have no basis in fact to justify their point of view. They have the right to their opinion, but not the right to foist that on others through bullying tactics and more serious acts of violence. They must come from the Trump School of Ignorance.

One thing I thought the local Pride Committee did well was try to reach out to many different sections of society, to promote education, inclusion and understanding among those struggling with the issues.

They were at the Farmers’ Markets, held a resource event for youth and adults, a seniors’ Bingo, a teen dance, and a wildly successful Pride Parade and gathering at Riverside Park to wind things up.

Smoke from the nearby wildfires created some issues. A drag show had to be scrapped and a couple of parade entries had to back out because of road closures.

And then there was a small group of protestors who tried to disrupt a children’s event at the North Kamloops Library. Harassing little kids is the work of morons but is not surprising considering the intelligence level of people who would do that kind of thing.

A shout-out should also go out to the City of Kamloops who were big supporters of the event About a hundred staff, councillors and others were involved as sponsors and participants.

To understand gender rights, you have to be open to listening. To take centuries-old thoughts and try to impose them on today’s culture is simply not realistic. But that’s for another day.

Today, let’s thank all of those who care about the rights of others to live in peace and safety. Thanks for a great event.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

The author, for the sake of transparency, wishes to add that a family member is on the local Pride Board of Directors.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.