The city’s north side was filled with pride and smiles Saturday.
Hundreds of supporters marched along Red River road to the Marina to kick off the sixth annual Pride in the Park Music Festival and celebrate the diversity of North Western Ontario.
The parade gives the LGBTQ community an opportunity to be out and proud without the fear of hate or bullying said Thunder Pride Parade coordinator Tanya Ross.
“It shows that we have a warm and inviting community that we can all participate and be welcomed,” Ross said before the parade began.
The mother of two said both her daughters identify “under the rainbow” and she has always taught them that it’s important to accept all people at all times no matter who they are.
Organizers were expecting more people to attend this year’s parade because of the recent tragedy in Orlando.In honor of the 49 victims, organizers were handing out black arm bands to show condolences to the victims.
“Everybody wants to come out and show their solidarity and show that we will not be rocked by fear and we will not stop being out and proud wherever we are,” she said.
Each year the parade gets bigger and more people from the community come out and show their support.
“Thunder Bay is such a warm and inviting community,” Ross said. “I think that we reach more people every year to let them know we are here, we are a community and we all stand solid together.”
Thunder Bay resident Sabrina Matheson said she come to the parade to support the inclusion the parade strives for.
“After everything that’s been going on with Orlando it’s just time for all of us to get together and celebrate being together,” she said
She added that it’s great to see everybody at Pride in the Park is having such a great time.