ValleyBiz Story |

On Saturday June 18, 2022 the SVRSS Gender & Sexualities Alliance (GSA) hosted Pride in the Park, the first Pride event in the Swan Valley.

One of the GSA members, Brooke, explained the importance of the GSA and Pride event. “The SVRSS GSA is a small student run organization that unites the 2SLGBTQ+ community and is organized around issues impacting them and their communities. It was formed to create a safe space, a more tolerant and accepting environment and that is what we are all here for today.”

The Pride in the Park event celebrated the rights of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to be who they are with a message of safety, equality, tolerance, acceptance and love.

The family friendly event included face painting, bubbles, a bouncing mat, rainbow swing and free donuts.

People listened to music, visited and enjoyed the beautiful weather while others scrambled to collect frisbees tossed into the crowd and pride shirts shot from the t-shirt canon.

Messages of support and encouragement were given by Gary Wowchuk, Chair of the Swan Valley School Division Board of Trustees and Town of Swan River Mayor, Lance Jacobson.

Other guests travelled from across Manitoba to attend, including members of the Manitoba Teachers Association and RCMP Cultural Diversity Officer from Winnipeg.

Prairie Mountain Health, Public Health was also in attendance to provide information.

“We are here today because we have made so many steps,” said GSA teacher advisor, Nicole Bobick. “There have been hard things done in the past and we are not all the way there yet, but we are celebrating those people who fought before us, we are celebrating the people who are fighting for advocacy right now and we are also inspiring the future advocates for tomorrow.”