Why we need pride more than ever

West Kildonan

As you read this, it is Pride Month in Manitoba — a time to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community. There are rainbow flags everywhere, and various festivals and marches are planned. So what is the big deal, and why should people who are not part of that community — the majority of Manitobans — care about it?

I would like to suggest that the care and celebration of minorities is one of the pillars of a healthy democracy. We live in a time when fascism is on the rise, immigrants and anyone else who is different is viewed with suspicion, and some people are venting their fear and rage at an uncertain future on those whom they perceive as powerless.

It may not seem to matter whether a trans child can play on the sports team of their chosen gender, or whether people of colour are treated with respect out in the world. Surely we have more urgent concerns — the climate crisis, the affordability crisis, militarism and corruption. Our neighbour to the south is speedrunning the entire 1930s in one year, gas prices are ridiculous, and a trip to the grocery store will make an uncomfortably large hole in most people’s finances.

Who has time to think about minorities?

And yet, I believe that the solution to many of our problems, if not most of them, is found in community; specifically, in community with those who are not exactly like us. It can be comforting to live in a bubble where everyone shares our background and gets our inside jokes. There is great value in family. We are tribal creatures, after all.

But when we are willing to step outside of our comfort zone, to recognise the humanity of those who are not like us, we create neighbourly bonds that can withstand the pressure of tyrants. When we protect and defend those who might otherwise be bullied or denigrated, we are helping to build a culture in which the strong protect those who have less power, and everyone is safer.

There is also a less noble, but equally important, reason for the majority to defend and support minorities. Once the powerful have declared any minority to be fair game for oppression — whether that be immigrants or trans people — they never stop there. There will always be a reason for the next group to be targeted, once society has assented to the victimisation of the first one.

So I hope that you will find time to go out and support Pride in our city, knowing that making our society safer for minorities makes it safer for everyone.