Thousands line the streets for Halifax Pride parade

The 35th annual Halifax Pride parade made its way through thecity on Saturday with members of dozens of organizations waving flags at enthusiastic spectators lining the streets.

Festivities kicked off on Thursday and the theme this year is RECONNECT.

"We've come a long way and we've done a lot of good and now it's time to use this power to lift everybody else." said Tuma Young, this year's Pride ambassador.

"Now we need to turn the power of our pride community and see how can we help Nova Scotia."

Young estimated there were up to30,000 people lining the parade route Saturday.

Young is a two-spirit Mi'kmawlawyer from Cape Breton and someone who has been an LGBTQ2+ community activist for decades.

In 2021, Young was recognized with a lifetime achievement award fromthe Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project.

Young attended Halifax's first Pride parade in 1987 and said there's been a lot of change since. During the first march, Young said some colleagues wore paper bags over their faces because it was legal at the time to fire someone over their sexual orientation.

Young said 75 people took part in the parade in 1987, noting that there were more people lined up for juice and pop on Saturday than participatedin the original parade.

Now, Young's community of Eskasonialong with other Mi'kmaw communities around Nova Scotia arehosting their own Pride and two-spiritevents.

In Halifax, the parade started near Citadel High School.

There were several street closures to make room for the parade. Some transit routes were also affected during the parade.

Thousands turn out to see the 35th annual Halifax Pride Parade

2 years ago

Duration 1:07:11

The first Pride parade since the start of the pandemic made its way through Halifax on Saturday. The 35th Halifax Pride parade was met with an enthusiastic reception by thousands of people who lined the streets of the city.

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