Pride Week begins Friday in Saint John, the annual celebration of the city’s queer community.
It all starts with a flag-raising at Saint John City Hall at noon.
The event began in 2003, celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Co-chair Alex Saunders of Saint John Fundy Pride Society said it began under the name City Rainbow Pride.
“Back then it was technically a protest,” Saunders said.
Saunders said that first event was around the time Canada legalized same-sex marriage.
“From there, it’s been an annual celebration of that first protest that’s now just a celebration of getting equal rights as far as marriage is concerned,” they said.
Saunders said the event also acts as an annual reminder of the work that still needs to be done.
“For our trans community, and our disabled communities and any sort of other minority groups that may not have full equality,” they said. “And of course the queer people in other countries where perhaps they’re not allowed to be their best selves.”
A full schedule of events for this year’s festival can be found here.
The main event is July 25 with the Pride Parade along Water Street, plus entertainment and vendors around Market Square throughout the day.
