Pink Triangle CUPE members gear up for Multi Union Pride

VANCOUVER—With sweltering heat and sunny skies expected once again for this year’s Pride event in Vancouver, CUPE BC is hoping to see a loud and proud contingent of LGBT members and allies marching with the Multi-Union Pride contingent as festivities get under way on Sunday (August 2).

The Multi-Union Pride group is gathering at Robson Street between Thurlow and Burrard. With the committee and volunteers arriving at 9 a.m., marchers are expected to arrive by 11 a.m. and the parade to start at noon sharp.

“Our entry will be similar to last year’s, so look for the arches of rainbow colour balloons,” says Multi-Union Pride rep and CUPE 391 member Peter Degroot.

“T-shirts with a Multi Union Pride logo will be available for marchers to wear, and we also have some Multi Union Pride swag to distribute.”

DeGroot says CUPE locals can bring items to distribute to the parade crowds, but flyers and brochures are discouraged as spectators don’t tend to take them and they thus contribute to litter. Other items can be brought to the marshalling point on Sunday morning.

DeGroot adds that the parade route is fairly long this year, with two hills included, so marchers should bring appropriate footwear. 

“Whatever you wear, get ready to have lots of fun,” he says. “Everyone is welcome to join in the Multi Union Pride entry, and it is going to be a fantabulous day!”

‘Our man’ in Denmark….

DeGroot will be arriving just in time for the parade, after returning on Thursday from Copenhagen where he has been attending the quadrennial, international Workers Out conference as a rep for the National Pink Triangle Committee.

As he did with a group of CUPE 391 members at the last Workers Out conference in Montreal in 2005, DeGroot has produced a daily conference blog—this time a bilingual effort with Line Blackburn from Quebec.

Check out DeGroot and Blackburn’s account of the conference.

COPE 491