‘We stand in solidarity:’ large crowd kicks off Nanaimo Pride Week

NANAIMO — One of the largest crowds in the history of the event watched the Pride flag rise to fly high above the city.

The upper parking lot of City Hall just off downtown Nanaimo was filled with people watching the flag, listening to speakers and the music played by LGBTQ2 advocates.

Nanaimo Pride Society president Alessandro Iachelli said the broad support for Pride Week and the activities hosted shows how the city has grown.

“I know in the past, when I was younger and would come to Nanaimo, it’s not the same city,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW. “I’ve never encountered any challenges as a gay man and neither have our friends. I think that speaks volumes.”

In the four years he’s actually lived in Nanaimo, Iachelli said he’s seen the event grow as members of the LGBTQ2 community in larger metropolitan areas come to the city.

Despite the warm reception in Nanaimo, Iachelli said it doesn’t mean everything is a party.

“We have a high suicide rate among our gay youth and transgender populations. We stand in solidarity with everyone who faces challenges. We were all in that place at some point.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which is often seen as one of the most important events in the fight for LGBTQ2 rights.

You can find info on Nanaimo events here.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit