“I want to show solidarity, build up solidarity, and build up the community power to do that,” said one parade-goer.
As the sound of cheers, drums and fiddle music began to rise along Saskatoon’s riverbank — heralding the start of the city’s 2024 Pride parade — the skies opened in a momentary burst of sun-showers.
With a colourful, celebratory crowd filling the streets, even the weather was promising rainbows.
On Saturday afternoon, thousands of 2SLGBTQ+ people and their family members, friends, loved ones and allies turned out to show their support for queer lives, loves and identities.
“It is so good to see all the fabulous people and members of the community come out and rally together,” said first-time parade-goer Hadryan McGregor, as he and his partner watched the floats go by. “We’re really happy to be here.”
All along the parade route, elegant drag queens waved regally from cars and floats as dancers flicked fans in time to 12 kinds of music, skateboarders showed off their kick-flips alongside a small fleet of rainbow-bedecked Viking ships, and children in fairy wings, tutus and ribbon skirts played tag and chased bubbles through the crowd.
Craft says the parade is always a “really fun” time for their family; but celebrating Pride in Saskatchewan feels a bit different in 2024 than it did last year.
“It’s especially important this year, given what’s been happening in Saskatchewan — and nationally — which has been really discouraging, and unsafe for so many folks,” said Craft.
Last summer, shortly after Pride Month, the Saskatchewan Party government announced new policies that would restrict sex-ed in schools, and require students under the age of 16 to get parental permission to change their name or pronouns at school.
That’s why Dan McCoshan came to the parade this year sporting the message “Protect Queer Lives” — because Pride, with all its joy and vibrant festivities, is also a rallying cry and a reminder of the long, hard-fought, continuing battle for 2SLGBTQ+ rights.
“With the pronoun bill and all this stuff going on, queer lives need to be protected,” McCoshan said. “I want to show solidarity, build up solidarity, and build up the community power to do that.”
For Sheena Grund, that solidarity came with a small pot of glitter and a big message of love.
At the end of the parade, Grund was enthusiastically offering “glitter blessings” to anyone who wanted them.
“God loves you; keep being fabulous,” she said over and over again, tracing streaks of silver sparkles across dozens of foreheads and hands.
“I’ve been so moved, doing this,” said Grund, a member of Fruits of the Spirit, a group for “LGBTQ2S+ spiritual seekers and allies” in Saskatoon. “It’s heartwarming, and I’ve teared up a couple times, too.
“It’s just people wanting to know that they’re loved.”
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