The message of Pride week in Saint John is that it’s OK to be who you are…and Mayor Mel Norton and other community groups are getting on board. At the Pride flag-raising ceremony this afternoon Norton tells CHSJ News the gay community is vital to his vision of Saint John as a “Renaissance City”–and he and common council will continue to work hard to embrace diversity in all its forms.
Organizer Brian Boyd says things have improved a lot since Pride started in Saint John a decade ago. He says instead of being told to “sit down and shut up”, the gay community is now accepted as part of mainstream society. Further, Boyd says he hopes this year’s celebrations will be bigger and more family-friendly than ever.
The official events for Pride 2012 are as follows:
Monday Aug 20th – Flag Raising 12pm City Hall
Coffee House for Youth ages 13-18 – Public Library Market Square from 2pm-5pm.
Tuesday August 21st – Pride Community Auction & Social @ Mahogany Manor 7pm-9pm
Wednesday August 22 – Movie Night @ Pump Nightclub 8pm – “Another Gay Movie”
Thursday August 23rd – Vagina Monologues 8pm – $5 at the door. Pride Karoake @ Pump Nightclub -10pm
Friday August 24th – Pride Drag Show @ Pump Nightclub – 9pm-midnight. Blackout Party @ Pump Nightclub Midnight-2am
Saturday August 25th – Pride Parade 2pm set up 1pm. Pride Party @ Pump Nightclub – 10pm-2am
