Pride season kicks off in the Prairies

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Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg – June 15, 2015 – UFCW activists proudly stood in solidarity with their LGBTQ brothers and sisters at recent Pride celebrations across the Prairies, from Edmonton to Saskatoon to Winnipeg.

In Edmonton, dozens of UFCW Canada Local 401 activists were loud and proud at the Edmonton Pride Parade on Saturday, June 6. Members and staff handed out UFCW t-shirts, frisbees, and flags to participants and waved to parade-goers from the brightly coloured and beautifully decorated UFCW 401 Pride float.

"The initial years of the parade were sparsely attended, but it has clearly served to open people's minds as it is now a hugely popular event," says UFCW Canada Local 401 President Douglas O' Halloran. "It's heartwarming to see the growing acceptance and understanding of the needs and rights of those within the LGBTQ community."

At the Pride Parade in Saskatoon, members and staff from UFCW Canada Local 1400 and Local 649 were out in full force with hundreds of participants to take a stand for LGBTQ rights and equality in Saskatchewan. The Pride Parade culminated a week-long festival of performances, film screenings, workshops, and a community fair.

"We strongly support strengthening LGBTQ rights and showing Pride in all of our communities, and we were elated to see so many member-activists join us at the Pride parades in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and Prince Albert," says Norm Neault, President of UFCW Canada Local 1400. "We are also looking forward to participating in the Queen City Pride Parade in Regina later this month."

In downtown Winnipeg, UFCW Canada Local 832 and 1869 activists marched with thousands of festival-goers on June 14 for the Winnipeg Pride Parade, which has been celebrated annually in the city since 1987.

"Our staff and members are proud to walk in all three of the Pride parades in Manitoba this year," says UFCW Local 832 President Jeff Traeger. "At Local 832, we celebrate the diversity of our communities and support any and all efforts to make our society more equitable."

"For Local 1869 activists, the Pride Parade is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the tremendous contribution that our LGBTQ brothers and sisters make to our community and to our union,” says UFCW Canada Local 1869 President Aline Audette.

As Canada's leading and most progressive union, UFCW Canada is playing an important role in mobilizing members, activists, and families to participate in Pride festivals across the country, with the goal of advocating for full equality for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.

You can find out more about our union's work throughout the 2015 Pride season by visiting ufcw.ca/pride.