VIDEO: Lots of participate in Satisfaction march in Vernon

Vernon’s downtown plaza was crammed with folks displaying their satisfaction Saturday, Aug. 12.

Lots of of individuals took half in a march by downtown Vernon alongside thirtieth Avenue on the penultimate day of the second annual Satisfaction Week within the metropolis.

There have been actions within the 2900-block pedestrian plaza, together with pin making; Satisfaction bumper stickers have been accessible and there have been prizes donated by companies locally to be received.

The Satisfaction Parade is underway in downtown Vernon! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ pic.twitter.com/5iltaNmqG5

— Vernon Morning Star (@VernonNews) August 12, 2023

Abbie Wilson, president of the Vernon Satisfaction Society, stated she’s been requested quite a few occasions why Satisfaction Week is required locally.

“We want Satisfaction for our previous, remembering all of our queer and trans ancestors who’ve gone earlier than us, who’ve labored and fought so exhausting, who’ve at all times existed. For our youthful selves who didn’t comprehend it was OK to be ourselves, who perhaps didn’t have the language to explain who they have been and are, who perhaps didn’t really feel secure to come back out till a lot later,” she stated.

“We want Satisfaction for our current as a result of there are nonetheless folks out right here of their properties, locations of worship, faculties and communities who can nonetheless not safely be themselves, as a result of there may be nonetheless at the moment violent and vile issues being stated on-line, politically and or publicly towards 2SLGBTQIA+ folks.

“We additionally want Satisfaction for the long run, for our future selves, for the battle we now have forward of us with the rise in hate, for future generations to be and know themselves and love who they love.”

Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming took the mic to specific that the Metropolis of Vernon is everybody’s metropolis, together with the 2SLGBTQIA+ group.

“These marches maintain immense significance as a result of they amplify voices and so they name for change,” Cumming stated.

Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu stated there may be a whole lot of misinformation about what initiatives like Satisfaction Week are all about.

“I can not perceive as a mom why someone’s personal insecurities are main into this propaganda that’s so harmful,” she stated. “Hate destroys your interior soul, it destroys the group, it destroys every little thing. The one solution to conquer hate is love.”

Satisfaction Week wraps up Sunday, Aug. 13. For extra data, go to vernonpride.ca.

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Brendan Shykora

LGBTQParadePrideVernon

 

(Brendan Shykora – Morning Star)

It’s the second year that the newly incorporated Vernon Pride Society has organized Pride Week in Vernon. (Brendan Shykora – Morning Star)

Hundreds of people took part in a Pride march through downtown Vernon on the penultimate day of Pride Week in the city Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023. (Brendan Shykora – Morning Star)