Pride 2011 around the world

This summer one of AIDS Calgary’s Case Managers, Christa Kahl, was able to attend Pride events in three different areas; Paris, Vancouver and of course, Calgary. Here she recounts her experiences at all three Pride Parades and discusses how Pride around the world celebrates the same message: our diversity makes us stronger. To view more of Christa’s photos from her Pride adventure, click here.

PARIS

I had been planning my trip to Paris for some time and was excited to learn that the Paris Pride Parade would be happening while I was there. I had been to a Pride Parade in Calgary over ten years ago and was excited to see what Paris would have in store. As soon as I landed, I made my way to my hostel and then went in search for the event.

The street was lined with people from all walks of life who had come to take part in Paris Pride. As the parade began to make its way down the road, it was clear that I needed to squeeze my way up front to get a good view of the floats and people in the parade. I was amazed by all of the different groups that were represented in the parade. There were groups for transgendered/transsexuals, bisexuals, asexuals, gay and lesbian groups. There was representation of people who are deaf and in the LGBTQ community, Jewish LGBTQ, multinational groups and more. I saw some of the most beautiful transgendered women and was amazed at the turn out of Paris youth that walked with the parade. There was an HIV/AIDS group called Sida Info Service that provides a lot of information, education and assistance regarding HIV and AIDS available in both French and English.

In France, gay marriage is still not legal and that was a big theme of the parade. Many in the parade carried signs that said “In 2011 I march and in 2012 I vote.” It will be interesting to see what happens next year. The streets were shut down and a huge stage was set up with DJs and some vocalists. Everyone was dancing in the street and making their way onto the parties that were happening in the gay friendly district of Marais. All in all it was a pretty great experience and a great welcome to Paris.

VANCOUVER

On July 31 of this year, Vancouver’s Gay Pride Parade took place down the hill from Davie Street, along the ocean. The parade started off with Dykes on Bikes, followed by various corporate sponsors, AIDS Vancouver , bagpipers, Pride Calgary was also represented and more. I enjoyed seeing a number of families from the very young to the elderly in attendance to support the Pride community in Vancouver. On the Friday before the parade, the Davie Street Festival took place which provided street entertainment various themed parties at some of Vancouver’s nightclubs.

CALGARY

That brings us home. This past Sunday was the Calgary Pride Parade and it was great to see so many people out for the event! The parade started at Olympic Plaza and made its way down Stephen Avenue and ended at the Shaw Millennium Skate Park. Mayor Nenshi attended and as our city’s first Mayor to lead the Pride parade. Other politicians were also in attendance, along with LGBTQ supporters/groups and of course AIDS Calgary, in partnership with Calgary Sexual Health. The great weather really brought out the crowds and the AIDS Calgary and Calgary Sexual Health float handed out over 1350 condom packs within the first four blocks of the parade! There is a lot of buzz in the air that this year’s Pride was the most attended of all time and it will be exciting to see the turn out next year.

After participating in all three different Pride adventures around the world, it was remarkable to see just how similar we all embrace our community’s diversity. From AIDS Service Organizations to politicians, it seems that from Canada, all the way to France, we are all striving to achieve human equality.

There are still events going on throughout the city until September 11, so if you were unable to attend the parade you can check out Pride Calgary for more information. Thank you to everyone who came by the AIDS Calgary booth and we look forward to seeing a great turn out for our upcoming Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life!

Sources

1.Inter-LGBT, (2011). Retrieved August 1, 2011 from: http://www.inter-lgbt.org/

2. Sida Info Service, (2011). Retrieved July 25, 2011 from: http://www.sida-info-service.org/

3. Sida Info Service, English Version, (2011). Retrieved August 17, 2011 from http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.sida-info-service.org/&ei=1NtLTr_xDabliAKkz5iOAQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsida%2Binfo%2Bservice%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26prmd%3Divns

4. Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival, (2011). Retrieved August 1, 2011 from: http://www.vancouverpride.ca/

5. AIDS Vancouver, (2011). Retrieved August 17, 2011 from: http://aidsvancouver.org/

6. Pride Calgary, (2011). Retrieved August 15, 2011 from: http://www.pridecalgary.ca/

7. Calgary Sexual Health, (2011). Retrieved September 7, 2011 from: http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca/

8. Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life, (2011). Retrieve September 7, 2011 from: http://www.aidscalgary.org/events/aidswalkforlife/registerpledge.cfm