3 decades of pride: Winnipeggers take to streets for Pride Parade

The streets were packed and thousands of rainbow flags fluttered in the wind as Winnipeggers celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Pride Parade. 

Manitoba's LGBT history is rich and full of important moments, including a one-off Gay Pride March held at the beginning of the National Gay Liberation Conference in 1974, but the first annual Gay Pride March took place on Aug. 2, 1987.

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Thousands of people took part in Sunday's parade through downtown Winnipeg.

Parade Grand Marshal Kelly Houle said it means a lot to see the community come together. As co-director of Two-Spirited People of Manitoba and a support worker at Sage House, a street women's health and outreach centre, Houle has seen how difficult it can be for LGBT Indigenous people. 

Although the definition varies, two-spirit is an umbrella term used by some Indigenous people to describe gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender members of their communities. 

"Pride has [done] such a wonderful job with us and with the posters. We love you Pride," she said.

The province wasn't always welcoming, she added.

Houle went to Sandy Bay Indian Residential School and when she moved to Winnipeg to continue her schooling, she didn't fit in anywhere. 

"I just found myself a different person and acting as a female and wasn't accepted anywhere," she said. 

She was bullied at school, wound up homeless and ended up working in the sex trade. It was with support from other members of the LGBT community that Houle said she was able to survive. 

"It was my family, it was my only connection to what I was and at the time there were no resources for me or for any of us," she said. 

This year, for the first time in its 30-year history, a two-spirit powwow was part of the festivities at Pride Winnipeg. 

Michelle Klyne and Noreen Spence wore their caps for their upcoming graduation to celebrate at the parade and remind themselves that they can achieve anything if they believe in themselves. 

"We are here to walk and celebrate Pride and support everyone and ourselves through Pride. It's fun and amazing," Spence said. 

Klyne added it was really exhilarating when the crowds cheered as they walked by. 

"This is such a change. I have been a transgender woman my whole life and I've been through some really bad situations," she said. 

"I am here because I am a transgender woman and I want to celebrate myself and everyone around me," she added.

Sitting on the grass, Brian Medeiros and his family cheered as the parade went by. 

"I just think it's great for [the kids] to see all the diverse people here," he said. 

"You don't have to be ashamed of who you are you can be whoever you want to be, which is what we want them to grow up as."

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Sarah Fordham attends the parade every year, but this year is extra special for her.

She was there with her close friends Catherine and Randy Bercier, who brought along their newborn baby girl.

"It's baby's first Pride!" she said. "We're her proud gay aunties." 

"I mean, I'm hoping this will be sort of an annual thing where every year she can come out and show her support for us and the community," Forham said. "It's special to me, I've already cried today about it."

Fordham says as the parade gets bigger and better every year, she believes there's more support for the LGBT community today compared to 30 years ago.

"I mean I think there's always room for improvement and positive change, but I think we're heading in the right direction."

The baby's parents said they wanted their daughter to learn the values Pride espouses.

"She's our first baby and we want her to grow up to be accepting of everybody no matter who they love and who they are," Catherine Bercier said.

Bercier and her husband were there on behalf of the Winnipeg Police Service, too. Randy Bercier is currently in the recruit class with the police service.

"Just coming and showing support on behalf of police and ourselves, friends and families, it's great coming out here and showing support," he said,  adding that it is also his first pride parade event.

"It's just an experience. I haven't stopped smiling since we got here."