Vancouver’s gay Pride Parade draws 500 000 people

More than half a million people packed the streets of Vancouver’s West End on Sunday for the city’s 37th annual Pride Parade. When the parade began nearly four decades ago, it highlighted mostly Vancouver’s gay and lesbian community, but the event has become more inclusive now, attracting people from all walks of life. Liz Johnston, a spectator, has seen the parade evolve over the past decade. “I think it has just become more of a family event now. In the early days, I think it was just attracting the gay and lesbian community, whereas now they’ve opened it to everybody,” Johnston said. The parade organisers said the event now generates US$ 18 million for the local economy. Almost all political parties now take part in the parade, enjoying the exposure it can provide. For example, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau even kicked off his election campaign on Sunday at the parade. Many companies also want to join in after realising that being seen at the event is good for their businesses. But the core of the event remains advocating for the rights of gays, lesbians and transgenders, celebrating diversity and friendship, while also raising the public’s awareness of sexual health. “My brother is a gay and it’s important just to show solidarity, I think, show support for the LBGT community,” one parade participant who identified herself as Nancy said. Nancy has observed that the parade has become more family-friendly over the years, making for an interesting outing for her young daughter. “I see it becoming more family-friendly every year, actually, which is nice. Makes it good to bring her,” she said. “And the more family-friendly it becomes, the more families will come, and so I think it’s going to change the next generation.” The event has been growing each year and has now become Western Canada’s largest parade and one of North America’s largest street parties. VANCOUVER NAMPA/XINHUA