Flags raised to mark Vernon Pride Week

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The flag raisings marked the beginning of a week celebrating diversity and promoting inclusivity in Greater Vernon, but also recognizes the city and district’s role to play in the week.

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“I think it’s a huge significance because it represents leadership in our community from our elected leaders and I think it’s the start of our event and it’s significant in the fact that it really shows to our community, especially to our youth, that leadership takes an important role in showcasing inclusion and acceptance,” Dawn Tucker with the Vernon Pride Committee told Vernon Matters at the flag raising in Vernon.

Tucker added that having both the City of Vernon and the District of Coldstream raise flags shows support, not just in the city, but in the larger region.

“While we’re just having events in Vernon [this year], many [Coldstream residents] come in to Vernon to experience events,” said Tucker, adding that Armstrong, Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton and many other communities in the region have pride groups or organizations hosting events to promote equality as well.

“So it’s really wonderful that Coldstream accepted our invitation to put up a flag.”

Vernon-Monashee MLA, Harwinder Sandhu, was among the attendees at the ceremony in Vernon.

She said the flag raising is a historic moment and very encouraging.

“It means a lot to people. A lot of people who have not come out yet, or couldn’t even disclose to their families about their gender and who they are because there’s so much stigma attached, there is so many systemic barriers they still face and hatred,” Sandhu told Vernon Matters.

“So it’s the fear of ‘Will I be accepted? Will I be loved equally the way my family or my community is loved?’ So it is very important.”

She added that the inclusivity that the flag and the week represents shows that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is supported in Vernon and the area.

“It shows that we stand united here to support you in solidarity. You are loved, you’re very special, and you have every right to love how you are and live your life the way you want it.”

(Left to right) Dawn Tucker and Erik Olesen of the Vernon Pride Society; Vernon city councillors Teresa Durning, Akbal Mund, Kari Gares; MLA Harwinder Sandhu; councillor Kelly Fehr; RDNO Area C director Amanda Shatzko at the raising of the Pride flag in Vernon (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters)

Looking to the week ahead, which includes lots of events over the coming five days and a pride parade on Saturday, Tucker was excited to bring people together and celebrate inclusivity.

“We all want to see people come out and get to meet each other and see that we’re here,” Tucker told Vernon Matters.

“And we want to reach out and connect. We want to connect with allies, we want to connect with each other, and we want people to have the opportunity to come out to events and get a chance to meet and greet and see what’s going on.”

Tucker added that the events will be fun but also educational in that people will be able to hear from others and get some perspective on their own experiences as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Schedule of events for Vernon Pride Week (image courtesy of the Vernon Pride Committee)

In addition to celebrating diversity and inclusivity, the week is going to act as a way of fighting discrimination.

Sandhu said during her speech that while progress has been made in fighting for equality, there is still a lot more that needs to be done.

“So this comes hand in hand, the acceptance idea and the purpose of these parades, these events, these initiatives, is to accept each other equally,” Sandhu said.

“When we get to know more about each other and have these conversations, believe me I have seen it, ignorance and hatred has no space. It opens up the conversation. People feel comfortable getting to know each other and learn. So it will have bigger impacts on broader issues and unite us.”

Sandhu said in her speech that people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community have been victimized and denied their human rights for decades, adding that every religion and faith teaches people to love and accept people and help the marginalized, and encourages area residents to keep that mentality during Vernon Pride Week.

Tucker also noted that the Vernon Pride Society hopes to see the week have an impact on fighting discrimination locally.

“Definitely we have people that get upset when we’re having these types of events,” Tucker said, pointing to the fact that someone had done burnouts on the rainbow crosswalk following the announcement of Vernon Pride Week.

“So we are trying to offer things like a history of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community so that allies and others can find out a little bit more about the history of our community.”

The Vernon Pride Society also has links to online resources on its Facebook page to help combat discrimination .

Tucker said anyone who is subjected to discrimination, particularly when it becomes confrontational or physical, should report the incident to police. There are also resources to support victims available locally, including from within the Vernon Pride Society and through Victim Services.

Tucker added that any bystander who witnesses discrimination should record the incident, report it, and offer assistance to the victim if possible.