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Prince Albert to show its pride

Jun 21, 2011 | 6:30 AM

The city has declared June 20 – 26 to be Pride Week and the community is celebrating it with a Pride Parade on June 25.

People will begin to meet at 12:30 at Fourth Avenue and River Street West and the parade work its way to City Hall where there will be addresses from dignitaries and a flag-raising of the rainbow pride flag.

According to parade organizer Jennifer Brockman, it’s important for the gay community to know that there’s love and support out there.

“It just creates awareness and lets other people know they’re not alone,” Brockman said.

“Often in smaller communities people just think that’s there’s no one else like them, so it’s a way to let people not feel alone and have the community come together, have some fun and celebrate diversity.”

Brockman said she was also excited that Mayor Jim Scarrow and city council took the initiative to publically recognize the gay community through its proclamation.

“It’s pretty awesome, over the past years there’s been less resistance and less protest and it just seems to be that the city is getting a lot more accepting and understanding that the queer community is there,” she said.

Not only is there a parade but there will also be a follow up family barbeque at Kinsmen Park where there will be food and family entertainment.

It’s the fourth time the community has hosted a parade. The last one took place in 2009. Brockman was involved in the city’s first in 2007 as part of a support group for gay and lesbian teens.

adesouza@panow.com