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Pride weekend in North Bay beyond everyone's expectations

'It is epic and way bigger than I thought it was going to be. I feel amazing. It is surreal. Monday we're having a debrief meeting for next year' Nick George Chair of the North Bay Pride Committee

It was a monumental weekend for North Bay's LGBTQ2+ community. On Friday, well over one hundred people gathered at City Hall for the inaugural Pride flag raising ceremony. Then on Saturday, more than 600 people from across the province, took to the streets for the North Bay Pride March and Unity for Pride Picnic, another first.  

A boisterous and enthusiastic crowd left City Hall, cheering, dancing, waving flags and carrying banners.

The march had just started and already Jason Plamondon was feeling the positive energy. 

"It is overwhelming how much pride there is and everybody's loud and proud today. It's nice, there's so much positive energy. It's good to be out here to support it."

Lori Stockton was impressed by the number of people from the LGBTQ2+ community and their supporters, who came together, walking side by side.

"I think it is a great turnout for what I understand is the first march. It is good to see all the support. It is a great day for North Bay I think," said Stockton.

Members of the United Church counted themselves among the large number of proud supporters. 

"We're part of the United Church of Canada, we're an affirming church and we're here to support this. The atmosphere is wonderful. A lady had a t-shirt on that said 'I may be straight but I don't hate.' I think that's what it is all about for us," said Donna Landry

Katelyn Haddow, watched from the sidelines as the march turned off Memorial Drive to the picnic area at the band shell. 

"Wow. I'm impressed, I didn't think it was going to be this big. The energy is so high. I'm seeing hundreds of people just here to be supportive, all together, its amazing. Just the amount of love that everyone is showing, it is amazing that here in North Bay they have this."

Mario Domingue remembers how active the community was in the early 2000's. Domingue left North Bay for a few years around that time, and when he came back, he says he noticed the support wasn't as strong as it had once been. 

"I'm glad to see that today, there's humongous support. I was amazed as to how many people showed up.It's wonderful. I'm kind of shaking from the love that I see all around and the acceptance."  

Earlier in the week, media spokesperson for the North Bay Pride Committee Jason MacLennan, explained the event is called a march instead of a parade because it was felt that the community is still struggling in a lot of areas including equality and understanding. He said a parade is more about celebration, but they're not there yet, 'maybe next year.' 

MacLennan said in the days leading up to the march, comments were made asking why there isn't a heterosexual straight Pride event.  

"The reason why there isn't one is because, were you arrested for being heterosexual in Canada? Were you persecuted in another country or stoned to death because you're a homosexual or you're gay or lesbian? I don't think so, that doesn't happen in Canada. But what did happen in Canada is if you were gay, you got arrested. There's people today with a criminal record for being gay and that's got to be abolished. Trudeau made that promise and hopefully he will make it right.  That's why we don't have a heterosexual straight Pride parade, said MacLennan.  

He believes that it is from events like the flag raising and march, that education can help make change happen. 

The march ended with a Unity for Pride Picnic sponsored by the North Bay and District Labour Council. 

President Henri Giroux, said people along the route were very respectful, many asking for Pride flags.They ran out after handing out roughly 500 flags Saturday.

"Everyone was respectful. I didn't see any negativity. It was excellent. We put this together in five weeks with the North Bay Pride Committee, and I think it shows that it is needed in this community. Walking down the street it was amazing to see people so happy. We are going to say that this is going to happen every year from now on," said Giroux 

North Bay Pride Committee chair, Nick George was part of the group leading the March. 

"It's epic and way bigger than I thought it was going to be," said George. "I feel amazing! Fantastic! It's surreal! Monday we're having a debrief meeting for next year."

Sponsors are already committing to 2018.  


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