VANCOUVER—Queer pride celebrations around the province continued on Sunday (August 5) with CUPE members braving the heat to march in the Lower Mainland’s massive Pride parade.
On yet another August long weekend with peak high temperatures, CUPE BC activists joined the multi-union pride contingent while CUPE 116 from UBC had its own float. All were clearly visible, under bright blue skies, to the hundreds of thousands of spectators dotting the West End parade route.
“It’s such a great way of celebrating our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans communities,” said CUPE BC pink triangle working group chair Cindy McQueen. “At the same time, it reminds us not to give up on the struggles for equality that are still ongoing.” The selection of transgender beauty queen Jenna Talackova as this year’s parade grand marshall, added McQueen, sends a message that more work needs to be done to address trans issues in the workplace and society at large.
CUPE members also joined Pride celebrations this summer in Prince George, Surrey and Victoria, with others to be held in New Westminster and the Okanagan.
