I had attended numerous Pride Parades in Ottawa as a younger person and so I was excited to see what it would be like these days. It was more meaningful than I could have imagined.
I went to walk in the parade with the Kanata United Affirm Leadership Team. We gathered near Argyle and Bank streets in front of Centretown United Church where many members of other Ottawa United Churches were gathering.
The street scene was festive and busy with hundreds of people arriving and preparing to walk or to watch. First United and Riverside United had long banners to be held up as their members walked along. Sounds of various bands rang through the air. Cindy greeted various fellow ministers and we got to know our fellow church goers. It was very exciting and so joyous!
Walking in the parade with the United Church members was such a wonderful experience. Bright colours, music, dancing and shouts of joy filled the air. To our surprise, as we walked along, throngs of people along the sides broke out smiling broadly, clapping and shouting "hurrah" as they saw our church banners and ourselves including Cindy who was wearing her white collar.
Clearly our support of LGBTQ2+ diversity and freedom was significant to many of those watching the parade - LGBTQ2 members, their allies, the curious and the appreciative. For the rest of the year LGBTQ2 people live with the uncertainty of being accepted at home, at work, at school and at church.
I look forward to this year's Parade and hope that lots of Kanata United members will join members of the Affirm Leadership Team in the fun and such an important cause. We will be car pooling from the Church after the service, Sunday, August 25. We will be meeting up with other United Church members for the local area, at Centretown United Church. We have rainbow pins, stickers and bracelets to help you show your PRIDE.
Update:
The KUC contingent at Pride 2019
We had such a good time, meeting other United Church Folk and showing our pride!
