Decision was made to ‘uphold her commitment to neutrality and non-partisanship’
New Brunswick Lt.-Gov. Brenda Murphy, Canada’s first openly gay person appointed to a vice-regal position, will not be marching in this year’s Fredericton Pride parade after the organizers chose to share its space with pro-Palestinian support.
Murphy has been a regular in the capital city’s annual Pride parade since being appointed in 2019.
When asked if she would be marching in this year’s version, which has named Fredericton Palestine Solidarity as the parade marshal and is welcoming Palestinian flags and keffiyehs, her office sent only a short statement.
“To uphold her commitment to neutrality and non-partisanship, the lieutenant-governor will not be marching in this year’s Fierté Fredericton Pride Parade. While Her Honour firmly opposes the oppression of all marginalized groups, including Palestinian and Jewish people, she values inclusion and supports the guiding principle that Pride is for everyone,” the statement reads.
The statement added that participants of “all walks of life” are invited to Government House at noon on July 21, the day of the parade, for an event organized by Queer Heritage Initiative of New Brunswick (QHINB) and ElderPride.
Fredericton Pride announced its support last week with the pro-Palestinian movement. It’s refusing donations from businesses who won’t cut ties with Israel, and announced a list of exclusions from the parade, including the University of New Brunswick for not revealing its partnerships with Israel, and the Canadian Armed Forces.
The move has drawn both criticism and support.
An official at Fredericton’s Sgoolai Israel Synagogue said the move will make it uncomfortable for Jewish LGBTQ+ members to attend and only goes to further a rise in anti-Semitism that’s been seen in the months since Israel retaliated against Hamas in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks.
Pride has defended sharing its parade space with the pro-Palestinian cause, saying Pride’s history is linked with disenfranchised groups struggling for liberty.
The city government has avoided taking sides, saying in a statement that it only plays a legal, bureaucratic role in the organization of the parade “related to road closures, traffic measures, permits, and any other operational impacts.”
“The City of Fredericton is committed to being an inclusive city where everyone feels valued, respected, safe, included, and where all members have equitable access to opportunities, resources, and services.”