Vancouver Pride Parade 2016: The Fundamental Message behind PRIDE

Thousands of Vancouverites will flock the streets this Sunday, July 31st for Vancouver Pride 2016, one of the biggest pride parades in the world! It’s a day for all lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and queers to revel in the joys of being who they are. The streets will be decked with colours of the rainbow, wild and erotic costumes and colourful floats. Whether it’s getting out to see the revelry of the occasion or partaking in the many festivities leading up to the parade, you don’t want to miss out on this exciting, free-spirited and ecstatic celebration.

Pride reminds me of carnival

Somehow, pride parade reminds me of carnival. Suddenly, the streets become crowded with exulting, happy people, loud colors and moving objects. Explosions of euphoria and pulsating music from masquerade marching bands and music trucks drown the streets as the procession of dancers, in their elaborate costumes decorated with feathers and sequins, marches through. It’s an event where participation occurs at all levels of society, from the young to the old in the celebration of life. And even weeks after, you will be reminded of the splendor of events from household to household as everyone recounts the happenings of the festivity.

The message behind pride

Of course you don’t have to be an LGBTQ to show support and celebrate with the community on this three-hour march through the streets of Vancouver. The fundamental message behind Pride Parades is the freedom to express who you are, the freedom to love and to live. It is a stance against discrimination and violence towards members of the community in an effort to promote sexual diversity. Everyone deserves equal rights and justice. We don’t all have to accept the beliefs, opinions or lifestyle of others, but we should be tolerant enough to understand each others differences.

So whether you will be a bystander looking on, watching on the television from the comfort of your living room or you will be joining in with the group downtown, Vancouver Pride 2016 invites you to stand with them. I will be out this Sunday myself; I have a wedding ceremony to attend in Vancouver; so I won’t be missing out. You know what the thrilling part for me is, it’s going to be warm and sunny!