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Pride 2023: Vancouver parade mixes protest and pageantry

August 06, 2023

Hundreds of participants — and thousands of spectators — took part in Pride 2023, the largest of 2SLGBTQAI+ celebrations in Western Canada

Published Aug 06, 2023  •  3 minute read

A person waves a trans pride flag during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.
A person waves a trans pride flag during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS /THE CANADIAN PRESS

Forty years after Vancouver’s first official pride festival, protest remains a key theme of the annual event.

“We’re here to celebrate and to protest and make ourselves visible,” said Jason Blackman, a labour activist and former Squamish city councillor.

Blackman was marching with friends from Vancouver Queer Irish, an Irish-Canadian community group.

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He was one of hundreds of participants — and thousands of spectators — to take part in Pride 2023, the largest of 2SLGBTQAI+ celebrations in Western Canada.

“As a gay man, it refreshes my spirit,” Blackman said of the daylong event.

Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023.
Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

The parade comes at a time when protests in the Lower Mainland attacking drag story times, viaduct banners targeting the 2SLGBTQAI+ community in North Vancouver and rhetoric suggesting that gender identity education in schools is grooming children have created issues around safety and belonging for community members.

“It’s quite shocking for us, and it’s been heightened over the last year. We’ve seen the rise of racism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism south of the border, and we have not been immune here in Canada,” Michelle Fortis, co-chair of the 2023 Vancouver Pride Festival, told Postmedia earlier in August.

Amnesty International Canada has reported a global trend of hate and violence toward the 2SLGBTQAI+ community, including in Canada.

A young girl watches as drag performers pass during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.
A young girl watches as drag performers pass during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS /THE CANADIAN PRESS

For Michael Frolick and Deanna Henry, members of the Vancouver Rainbow Concert Band, Canada’s only 2SLGBTQAI+ concert band, the parade was about celebration, protest and supporting their community.

“I feel in any year of any march since the very beginning, it’s always been there,” Henry said of transphobia and homophobia. “We all have the feeling inside us.”

“That’s what the march was always about,” she said. “We’re fighting for our rights to love who we want to love. From the beginning.”

“The fight is never over,” Frolick said. “There still needs to be a lens like (this parade) that promotes everything about it.”

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  1. A person is seen waving a pride flag during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    A person is seen waving a pride flag during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  2. A person waves a trans pride flag during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    A person waves a trans pride flag during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  3. A large flag passes by during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    A large flag passes by during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS Ethan Cairns /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  4. A person waves a trans pride flag during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    A person waves a trans pride flag during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS Ethan Cairns /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  5. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  6. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  7. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  8. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  9. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  10. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  11. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  12. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  13. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  14. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  15. Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

    Thousands of people took part in the annual Pride Parade in Vancouver on Aug. 6, 2023. The parade started at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeded down Beach Avenue and Pacific street to Concord Community Park near Science World. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /jpg

  16. People pass a decorated wall during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    People pass a decorated wall during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS Ethan Cairns /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  17. Motorcycle group Dykes on Bikes passes during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    Motorcycle group Dykes on Bikes passes during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS Ethan Cairns /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  18. A person poses for a picture in the street during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    A person poses for a picture in the street during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS Ethan Cairns /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  19. A performer's makeup is finished with rainbow eyelashes for the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    A performer’s makeup is finished with rainbow eyelashes for the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS Ethan Cairns /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  20. A person's eye makeup is done with rainbows during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    A person’s eye makeup is done with rainbows during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS Ethan Cairns /THE CANADIAN PRESS

  21. Bubbles are blown at people during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

    Bubbles are blown at people during the Pride Parade at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS Ethan Cairns /THE CANADIAN PRESS

Blackman agreed, calling the parade “very, very important.”

“We’re going to see a lot of solidarity among everybody across the queer community to support our trans sisters and brothers and friends,” he said. “It’s really important to redouble our efforts.”

“We’ve made lots of progress but progress can go backwards,” Blackman said. “We’re not going back.”

The parade had a new route this year, starting at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets, near English Bay, and proceeding down Beach Avenue and Pacific Street to Concord Community Park near Science World.

The decision to change the route followed an accessibility audit commissioned by organizers, which found that moving the site to Concord Community Park would make the event more accessible for people with mobility needs. The new location is flatter and close to two SkyTrain stations. It is also bigger, which will expand capacity in preparation for Canada Pride 2024, scheduled to be held in Vancouver.

Michael Frolick and Deanna Henry, members of the Vancouver Rainbow Concert Band, on Denman street before the Pride 2023 parade begins.
Michael Frolick and Deanna Henry, members of the Vancouver Rainbow Concert Band, on Denman street before the Pride 2023 parade began. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /PNG

For Frolick, who has participated in the parade for over a decade, the event “always meant something personal and for the greater good.”

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“We’re happy to support everyone that needs to be supported,” he said.

“And it’s just fun.”

— with a file from Denise Ryan

@njgriffiths
ngriffiths@postmedia.com

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