By Spencer Sterritt

Largest crowd yet for P.A. Pride flag raising

May 30, 2016 | 6:04 PM

The Pride flag is flying in front of city hall once again.

A substantial crowd of nearly 40 gathered to see the flag raised on Monday, May 30. Many commented it was the largest crowd yet at pride flag event.

It was the first Prince Albert Pride event for 16-year-old Alain Taahir, who said he appreciated the size of the crowd.

“It feels more personal, it’s my community, and it’s where I grew up,” he said.

He said Prince Albert’s queer community is fairly invisible, and it was nice to see people out and about raising the flag on a sunny day.

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Over the four years he’s been an ally of the LGBT community, Taahir said he’s seen “substantially less xenophobia” in Prince Albert.

Marjorie Beaucage, a Metis two-spirited Elder who works at OUT Saskatoon, agreed the situation in Prince Albert has improved in recent years.

“I’ve seen more and more people out each year, taking their place and not being afraid to celebrate. Even today there’s way more people at this flag raising than there has been before,” she said.

Still, Beaucage said there are still many challenges facing the LGBT community in Prince Albert.

“Even when we walk on the streets, people sometimes say mean things, or they’re looking at us like we’re weird,” she said.

The flag raising is just the first of many events throughout the week, all of which can be found online.

ssterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit