Queen City Pride celebrates 30 years in Regina

Queen City Pride was celebrated for the 30th year in Regina on Saturday.

Co-chair Dan Shier called the milestone a testament to how far the city has progressed on LGBTQ rights.

“The first (Pride festivals), our community was fighting for just basic rights protecting their employment, treatment in society. The first parade even had people wearing masks to hide their identities because it could jeopardize their families, their jobs and their livelihoods. To be out here today with over 3,000 people all celebrating human rights and LGBT rights is really amazing to see,” Shier said.

However, Shier said the movement is not finished fighting for better trans healthcare, supporting youth and addressing human rights abuses globally.

“It’s really important to remind people that we’re not just out here to parade. We’re also out here to be standing up for human rights, for showing everyone that Pride is strong and needed,” Shier said.

This year’s parade took a different route, starting in the Warehouse District, passing by significant landmarks including the Scarth Street Station, the Q Nightclub and Lounge and the SPACE for Saskatchewan Queer and Trans Youth. It also passed over rainbow and trans crosswalks on 13th Avenue.

Shier said there were about 117 entries to the parade, making it the biggest ever. Participants came from all walks of life — schools, non-profits, unions, churches among others. Music was blaring. Children handed out candy and miniature flags.

Organizers of the 30th Queen City Pride parade say there were 117 entries this year, making it the biggest ever.

It was Kei Struble’s first time attending Pride — a chance to be seen, heard and affirmed.

“Growing up in a small town, I was the only kid who was gay and trans, who came out at the time. It was super stressful because I couldn’t relate to anybody and I was bullied throughout high school. Until I moved here and then I finally found people that I was able to connect with . I feel accepted for who I am and I don’t have to hide it. That’s what this event means to me,” Struble said.

Another first-time attendee, Karen Vandergucht, attended to support friends in the LGBTQ community and ended up helping with decorating floats.

“I didn’t expect it to be this large. I didn’t expect it to be this beautiful. I just thought it was kind of a small gathering,” Vandergucht said.

“We need some understanding. When people are out here meeting these people, there’s not so much prejudice.