'We're all God's children': Historic Montreal church hosts annual Pride celebrations

Tatenda Mandengastood before a congregationin a downtown Montreal cathedral on Sunday and spoke the words he was long forced to swallow in his home country.

"I'm gay and I own it. This is whoI am," he said.

The 30-year-old refugee fromZimbabwe, who arrived in Canada last November via Roxham Road, fled his country due to his sexuality, saying he was not free to be himself.

"There's freedom for me here," he said of Montreal. "I'm so excited to meet other people like me, so this is home for me."

Mandengawas one of several people who spokebefore an altar adorned with rainbow-colouredflags and streamers inChrist Church Cathedralon Ste-Catherine Street, part of the church'scelebrations for Montreal Pride.

The annualservice included readings, prayers,and music by several groups, including the church's own choir, the Ensemble Vocal Ganymedeandthe Chur Gai de Montral.

Rev. Bertrand Olivier, dean of the cathedral, saidthe event is an opportunity for people to gather, sing and understand thatthey belong.

"We're all God's children, we're all welcome, we're all loved despite the world being not an easy place this year, in particularforLGBTQ2S+ people," he said, pointing toa rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate in Canada.

'Included, wanted, loved'

Olivier, who is also gay, said it was important for his church community to be inclusive of all,no matter how uncomfortable the journey to acceptance was.

"At the heart of Montreal, in a place that is multicultural and also very open and welcoming, we also believe that God asked us to be welcoming to people of all backgrounds, genders and sexualities," he said.

Following the service, Jean-Paul Bernier walked out of the church's doors and embraced Olivier.

Berniersaid being part of the event was a beautiful experience.

"I grew up Catholic, so it'snice to feel included, wanted, loved," he said.

Vera Burt, a regular member of the congregation, said she came out to show her support for what the event represents.

"Itmeans that we're encompassing everybody in our community," she said.

For SarahWickz-Potter, having a Pride celebration inside a church means honouring what God wants.

"I think God wants us to love each other and to be happy with the full spectrum of humanity," she said. "I'm really, really grateful that the community here does this."

Amid the revelry, Olivier said people must not neglect the prevalence of anti-LGBTQ+ hate, irrespective of their religion.

"It's easy to feel that we've achieved a kind of equality and people are secure, but around the world, and even in Canada and Quebec, it's not all won," he said.

"We need to remember that, as we receive that security, that love, we need to keep fighting for others."