Pride flags raised at Vancouver city hall ahead of parade

Pride flags were raised at Vancouver city hall on Monday as the city gears up for its annual Pride parade this weekend.

Councillors were joined at the event by members of the city's 2SLGBTQIA+ advisory committee, local First Nations and the Vancouver Pride Society.

Speakers highlighted the importance of standing up for marginalized people around the world and called out the risk being faced by transgender and 2SLGBTQ+ people more broadly in Canada.

"In Musqueam, we have a healthy queer community, people that hold each other up, that love each other and that care for each other,'' said Alec Guerin, a representative for the Musqueam First Nation. "And it's important that we, as a city, do that too."

The City of Vancouver also presented Alan Daly, the co-chair of the Vancouver Pride Society, an official proclamation marking the start of "Pride Week" in the city.

The week will culminate in the city's annual parade on Aug. 4, which will see thousands of people march from Davie Street and Denman Street, in the city's West End, to Concord Pacific on the False Creek seawall.

"While we actively celebrate and honour 2SLGBTQIA+ communities during Pride week and year-round, it's crucial to acknowledge the disturbing rise in hate crimes and discriminatory attitudes targeting specifically trans and non-binary individuals," said Deputy Mayor Mike Klassen at the ceremony on Monday.

"The city stands resolutely with these communities, supporting their rights to express themselves authentically and ensuring our city remains inclusive and respectful of all voices."