A Pride Ride is part of what shapes up to be a big Saturday for The S2DIO on June 18. (Submitted photo/S2DIO)

By Rob Mahon

S2DIO Pride Ride

Pride Ride: S2DIO plans big day in support of LGBTQ+ community

Jun 17, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Pride Week in Prince Albert may have wrapped up, but with Pride Month still ongoing in Prince Albert, Sask., and throughout much of the world, there are still businesses showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community.

One of them is planning a very public show of support this weekend.

On June 18, The S2DIO will be hosting a pride ride. They’ll have drop-in classes running throughout the day, and all the money raised from those classes will go to Prince Albert Pride. They’ll also be hitting the street in full rainbow gear at various points during the day.

“We’ve kind of caused a scene in the city of PA for the last few years,” said Desiree Hesson, owner and operator of The S2DIO. “We’ve got our windows decorated in rainbows to show the whole city that we are allies with the pride committee and the pride community.”

Organizers with Prince Albert Pride have spoken about how they’ve seen more businesses willing to show support for them in recent years, and S2DIO has seen the same thing.

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“It’s so cool to see that other businesses are following suit with us now after a few years,” Hesson said. “They’ve started decorating their windows.”

Ask Hesson about her philosophy on business or fitness, and there’s an emphasis on inclusion. Carrying that philosophy over to the LGBTQ+ community, it was a natural fit that they would be very public allies during Pride Month.

“It’s everything,” Hesson said. “We are absolutely all inclusive of everyone. We don’t care where you came from, where you’re going, if you’re big, small, green, purple, blue, black, we don’t care where you come from or who you are. Everyone is welcome here, and that’s really, ultimately, what Pride is all about.”

In turn, Hesson said she’s seen members of the community repay her support. She became momentarily lost for words when asked about what the response has been from LGBTQ+ people to her public support of them.

“I have several queer friends who I have always loved dearly and will always love dearly,” said Hesson. “They are just forever so grateful that we put this out there and throw it out there to everyone to try and get them following suit with our morals and values.”

Hesson added the larger community has been accepting of their support for Prince Albert Pride, but that isn’t something she pays attention to and she would support Pride regardless.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP