A full Pride Week is ahead for Prince Albert with events every day from June 4 to June 12. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Pride Week Returns

Prince Albert Pride to kick off Pride Week on Saturday

Jun 2, 2022 | 1:00 PM

Pride Month is in full swing, a month to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and within that month Pride Week is shaping up to be an extremely busy one in Prince Albert.

Starting on Saturday, June 4, and running all through the following week, Pride Week will feature a huge array of events from gamer nights to queer coffee events (both in person and virtual). Naturally, that’s left organizers extremely busy, but also excited.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said LJ Tyson, co-chair of Prince Albert Pride. “We’ve put a lot of work into it, we’ve had countless meetings about it, there’s been a lot of stress about it as well. So, we’re excited for it to start and celebrate with everybody.”

Starting on June 4, they will have a safe spaces campaign announcement — the details of which Tyson is keeping close to the vest for now — followed by a cultural drumming event at the riverbank at the gazebo on the east side. Events at Smitty’s and the Art Gallery follow in the next few days, with the week culminating in the official Prince Albert Pride Parade and Pride in the Park.

“Representation is so important in life in general,” said Tyson. “Personally speaking, to see myself represented in my community means so much to me. It makes me feel seen, it makes me feel heard, it makes me feel like I’m actually a part of the community.”

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At 28 years old, Tyson has seen pride events steadily grow in size and number throughout the country. Remembering a time when they were less accepted makes the events all the more special now.

“There wasn’t as much representation up until our Pride Board formed in 2007,” Tyson said, “when we started to see the LGBTQ+ community being represented in our community in Prince Albert. I know that this means a lot to the community, and I know it means a lot to our allies as well.”

The last two years, COVID-19 has made it tougher to hold any kind of large event, Pride parades or gatherings included. This year, with no restrictions due to the pandemic, Pride Week events can return to normal.

“It’s a relief in that we can gather and it feels much more natural and much more celebratory to be able to gather in person,” said Tyson. “With that being said, we want to continue to make sure everyone is safe. While there is no masking regulation, no one is going to be judged for wearing a mask at our events.”

Tyson added they’re very grateful to a long list of sponsors for supporting the week and helping to make it happen.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP