Marchers show their pride

Marchers carried signs and filled the streets of Yorkton on May 19 to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Over 30 people participated in the 2018 Yorkton Pride March last Saturday. The walk began at City Hall, snaking through Smith Street, First Avenue, and Broadway Street before finishing at the City Centre, where they enjoyed cake, drinks, and yoga.

The march was one of the final events of Pride Week, which began on May 12. Pride Week included board games nights, diversity training, and spin classes.

“[Pride] has been a huge success,” said organizer Laura Budd. “We’ve got a lot of city and community support.”

Drivers and passersby voiced their support for the marchers as they moved through Yorkton. Budd was grateful for their show of solidarity.

“It’s really great to be out loud [and] proud in Yorkton and to see all of the honks and cheers,” she said.

Yorkton police escorted the marchers through town. Budd said the fire department were supposed to join them, but they had to respond to an emergency that day.

“We appreciate them in our community,” she said.

Budd enjoyed all of Pride Week, but her favourite event was the pizza and board games night on May 17 at the Boys and Girls Club of Yorkton.

“We had over 20 youths for [the event],” she said. “Seeing their happy faces and seeing them claim that space was [great].”

Pride Week 2018 officially ended with a “Spirit of Diversity” service at St. Andrew’s United Church on May 20.