'Things have been changing': Pembina Valley Pride standing up to hate
Hundreds of people gathered to show support after a small community experienced homophobic hate acts during Pride month.
Some Pembina Valley residents say they've witnessed acts of homophobic and transphobic hate during pride month in Morden.
Minister Carrie Martens says her united church in Morden, Pembina Parish, was vandalized earlier in June. Its pride decorations were torn down.
“They were up for a day and a half and overnight they were torn down and strewn around the block,” Martens said. “We just got up the next morning and put them right back up again.”
She says she wasn’t surprised it happened.
“You want to believe otherwise about your community. We know there are so many supportive people but we also know there are people who are afraid and really angry.”
The church is not the only place that was attacked. Pembina Valley Pride’s CEO Peter Wohlgemut says they've been told other decorations have been torn down in the southern Manitoba city - and a vehicle was spray painted with a homophobic slur.
“It’s gotten some people to put up flags that may not have put them up before,” said Wohlgemut. “It kind of fosters connection and a lot of people saying 'no that doesn't represent our community.'”
Wohlgemut was concerned there was a chance protesters would show up at pride celebrations this weekend. Pembina Valley Pride’s parade had extra security on hand Saturday, donated by Pride Winnipeg.
Hundreds of people came to show their support.
“If someone does approach you to argue or goad you or try and get an argument going verbally or by trying to show a pamphlet in your hands - ignore them,” Wohlgemut said during the event's opening remarks.
During the celebration, a motorcycle would not wait for the parade and drove through it to cross the street.
Martens said the parade showed queer Pembina Valley residents they are not alone.
“Today is for the rainbow community and to celebrate who the rainbow community is. And to remind everyone that there is support when it doesn't feel like it's supportive,” Martens said.
Drag queens The Yellow Belle and Peachy Keen were among the event's performers.
“I hope that people learn to love and people learn to accept,” The Yellow Belle said.
Wohlgemut is hopeful, “Things have been changing in the Pembina Valley.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.