Delta’s voice was loud and strong in support of the 2SLGTBQ+ community as Pride Month kicked off with the raising of the Progress Pride Flag at city hall on Thursday morning.
In a show of solidarity, city council members, leaders, first responders and staff members looked on as city manager Sean McGill and Mayor George Harvie welcomed representatives from the Delta Pride Society, Ladner United Church and Sher Vancouver.
“This flag is a symbol of inclusivity, diversity, equality and the community. By raising the Progress Pride flag at city hall each June and having rainbow banners displayed on street poles throughout Delta, we hope to send a clear message to the community that hate and discrimination against people because of who they are, or who they love or whom they love will not be tolerated,” said McGill.
“Pride Month represents a time of celebration, reflection and unity, a time when we come together to honour the struggles and triumphs of the pride community and to reaffirm our commitment to creating a more inclusive society, a solid society that celebrates diversity for all as we raise the Progress Pride flag,” said Harvie.
“May this flag serve as a reminder that Delta stands tall, and stands strong in its commitment to equality, inclusion, diversity and love. May this flag fly high and proud.”
Among those to express their appreciation of the city’s support was Delta Pride committee member and 20-plus resident Jenn Curll.
“I have been out as a proud member of the community since I was a teenager, but I really didn’t feel like I could be myself in a lot of respects. I didn’t know how much I needed to see my community represented here until that very first (Pride) picnic happened here. Then the flag and all the banners, it just sort of overwhelms the heart,” said Curll.
“I’m just a person like you. I just want to be safe and happy. When I get to see rainbow flags everywhere, it makes me feel like that’s okay. I can just be myself just the same as you want to be yourself. I just want to celebrate a lot of the same things but with more colour and pizzazz, maybe. I get to do that really safely here and it’s really because of all of you.”
