'Real' Pride march celebrates grassroots-style without corporate sponsorship

The Treaty 6 Real Pride March on Sunday attracted people who wanted to celebrate the LGBT community without the presence of politicians and commercial hoopla.

The "real" Pride march,which was also being called the Global Pride March, was part of the Saskatoon Pride Festival program but separate from the main parade later this month.

Organizers of the "real" Pride march opposed theselection of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark as the grand marshal of the main festival parade, as well as its corporate sponsorship.

• Saskatoon mayor to serve as grand marshal of city's 2017 Pride parade

Aspokespersonfor the Saskatoon Pride Festivalsaidthe festivalsupportedthe separate march so those people who oppose corporate and political involvement in the parade couldstill march and feel proud.

LauraCivica, who was marching on Sunday said she liked the "anti-capitalist aspect" of the parade.

"I'm not a big fan of pink-washing. I think especially with corporations that work tomarginalizeothers, I think it's not OK to have Pride's name on that."

Davis Baker said he liked the grassroots aspect of Sunday's paradeand that it was a Pride celebration that was less drinking-oriented.

"I've worked Pride at a bar and I've seen what it's like. Granted, everybody's there to have a good time, but I feel like there needs to be more focus on the other stuff. Have a good time but understand why you're having a good time."

The main Pride Festival parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 24.