It was great to see the city and the community step up for Bandon Pride 2012 this past weekend.
For the first time in Brandon’s history, a rainbow flag was hoisted at city hall just in time to mark the fifth annual celebration.
And as the Sun reported yesterday, about 100 people attended a Pride rally at Princess Park on Saturday to help support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community.
While we note that attendance was still rather small for the rally — we remain, after all is said and done, a small-c conservative rural city — it is noteworthy that the event has been growing in size since it began.
And for the LGBT community, it has become a source of strength to know that the Brandon Pride community has the support of city hall.
“I think it’s nice ... that recognition and validation,” committee member Ryan Appel told the Sun last week. “Saying that the city is behind us and showing that there’s acceptance here in Brandon and we are getting closer to that place where everybody is treated equally, regardless of sexuality.”
All members of society want to feel that they are valued in a community and included as part of its fabric, not just a fraction of society that must be tolerated.
For former Brandonite Rob Bridgeman, who travelled from Winnipeg to attend the rally, there has been a noticeable change in this city.
“I never thought Brandon would be like this,” Bridgeman said. “When I lived here I always said it was a redneck city ... They’ve come a long way in just a short time.”
While we still have a ways to go before we can call ourselves a truly inclusive society, it is good to note that however slowly, attitudes are changing.
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition June 19, 2012
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