COMMUNITY – Annual pride parade goes downtown with ‘Out on the Street’

Kamloops Pride will bring the city’s first downtown pride parade to Victoria and Lansdowne Streets on Sunday, Aug. 20.

Out in the Street will recognize Kamloops’ lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and two-spirited (LGBTQ2S+) community, and the broader community that supports them. It will cap off an extended pride weekend, featuring a number of new events.

“The parade is an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the diversity of Kamloops, and to welcome all community members with open arms,” said Kamloops Pride president Kirstin McLaughlin. “We’re thrilled to invite our LGBTQ2S+ community and allies to head out in the street with us this summer.”

An annual Pride march has been held at TRU for several years.

Registration for businesses, teams and community organizations will open online in early June. Individuals will have an opportunity to register to march on the day of the event. Kamloops Pride (formerly GALA Kamloops) supports LGBTQ2S+ people through community events, public education opportunities and advocacy initiatives.