“In previous years, I assumed it was enough to just show up by walking, cheering and showing my support with smiles and waves. But it isn’t.”
“At least not for me,” continued Melissa Tilden, a volunteer at this year’s Pride parade in Yellowknife.
Sunday’s parade took place to a backdrop of recent online abuse in the comments sections of local Facebook posts related to Pride. RCMP opened an investigation after one incident. The City of Yellowknife said it was considering closing down comments on its posts after another.
“Some people have felt pretty brave posting on Facebook, threatening and tearing down groups because they fear anyone that goes against what they’ve been taught, and sometimes the noise from that fear can be so overwhelmingly hurtful that it’s easy to forget they are the minority,” Tilden told Cabin Radio.
“We need to show that they’re the minority. There are more of us than there are of them, and big, joyful, inclusive events are a great way to prove that everyone belongs here.”
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More than a dozen floats paraded through downtown Yellowknife on Sunday.
Resident Jenn Dallman-Sanders said she took part “because it matters, because representation matters, because children need to see who they can be, who they are, that it’s all valid – that you have to care about every piece of the community in order to thrive.”
“As a member of the community with queer children,” said Dallman-Sanders, “this is the space and place to celebrate and to march.”
Latisha, a young student in the parade, said turning up was important to let other participants know “they’re human and they’re just like the rest of us.”
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“I think like all communities in the North, the northern Pride community is super resilient,” said one of the parade organizers, Tineke Kippers.
“Although more recently we’ve seen more opposition to the queer community, particularly online, in turn we have seen even more shows of support and allyship. This just reminds us how loved and accepted we are by the community.
“Pride is at its roots a protest and we will continue to organize, to host events, and to show up for one another, and remind our community members that they’re not alone.”
Tilden said “nowhere has felt as much like home” as Yellowknife since she moved to the city.
As a volunteer, her role on Sunday was handing out food to participants.
“My contribution is minimal in the grand scheme of things, but maybe a tasty burger will contribute to someone having a really positive experience at their first Pride, so they volunteer next year,” she said.
“Maybe our teams touring the parade route will make someone feel a little safer, so they can properly enjoy themselves. Maybe the volunteers will be seen by our coworkers or our friends’ kids, who will now know that we’re safe people to be around.
“I’m just excited to be spending the day with a great group of people dedicated to promoting love and acceptance. And in my case, hot dogs.”
