Mermaids, drag queens, and women warriors entertain with Pride
Posted August 6, 2017 3:33 pm.
Last Updated August 6, 2017 5:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Tens of thousands of people have descended upon Vancouver’s downtown for the finale of Pride Week – the giant Pride parade.
About 150 entries made up the three-hour procession – including floats, dancers, and marchers.
“I never once thought that walking with the school district would be so eye-opening. Teachers are dressed crazier than I am. The fact that I’m walking with a principal who asked if she could hold my wig while I got my dress on. It’s amazing!” says a young man in drag originally from Port Alberni, walking on behalf of the Burnaby school district.
Public schools weren’t the only ones showing their pride.
“We are with Langara College, and we are going to be handing out beads to the crowd.”
Do they need to be doing anything specific to earn the beads? “No, we are going to be handing them out to anyone who wants one.”
The Luminesque Dancers literally glittered in the sun.
“Our programs culminate in a performance at Celebrities. Our relationship with Celebrities has been going on for seven years. We are here today because it doesn’t matter who you are or what you do. There’s a place for everybody,” says one of the instructors.
While some politicians may be content to wear a pink shirt and mingle with the crowds for the occasion, Liberal MP Hedy Fry donned a conical breast plate.
I’m a warrior princess. We said the theme this year is ‘My Pride,’ and my pride is being a woman.”
Organizers say upwards of 650,000 people were expected in the downtown for the spectacle.
