Pride Week starts on Monday in Prince George to bring the community together and celebrate the LGBTQ+ residents in PG and Northern BC.
Susan Trabant, President of the Prince George Pride Society says there are plenty of events planned for the duration of the week.
“We have Pride Rocks which happened all of June and will go on into Pride Week from July 4th until the 11th, where you can paint rocks and hide them in any of the parks or you can go searching for these rocks with any of the parks,” she explained.
On the morning of July 5th, Mayor Lyn Hall will be proclaiming the week as Pride Week in the PG with a flag-raising at city hall.
From July 5th to the 9th, the Pride Society is hosting virtual booths on the Prince George Pride Society and Queer Cafe Facebook pages that offer supports and resources to LGBTQ+ residents.
On July 10th, the Society is hosting a free Rainbow Car Rally from 11 am until 3 pm.
“What is going to happen is that we have a list of different businesses where you can go and take a picture of their business or you actually can stop by for swag. It is available for everyone and it is where you stay in your car and you go and collect pictures and then once you get six pictures you can submit them for an entry to win prizes,” added Trabant.
Planning a Covid-safe elaborate week-long event has been a little bit frustrating for Trabant, but she says it’s important that the community recognizes its inclusivity and love of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Prince George is an amazing, inclusive society it’s one of the biggest communities in Northern BC, many people travel to come here and celebrate Pride Week if they don’t have celebrations in their home,” added Trabant.
However, she says PG still has some work to do to become a more inclusive community, and celebrating Pride Week is an important step.