Officials with the Central Alberta Pride Society and TANAS raise a pride flag at Executive Place in downtown Red Deer Tuesday to mark the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

Flag Raising

Central Alberta Pride Society marks 50th anniversary of partial decriminalization of homosexuality

May 14, 2019 | 2:18 PM

A special flag-raising ceremony took place at Executive Place in downtown Red Deer Tuesday to help mark the 50^th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada.

The event was hosted by the Central Alberta Pride Society and Trans and Non-Binary Aid Society (TANAS), which joined many communities across the country on May 14 to honour the anniversary and celebrate the achievements made towards equality and rights for the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride Society officials say the initiative was sparked by the ‘Affichons nos couleurs – Standing by our Colours’ project in partnership with Calgary Pride, and the goal of organizing rainbow pride flag raisings in 50 Canadian Cities.

Jillian Best with the Central Alberta Pride Society says the flag-raising is also a chance to reflect on the path still to travel and work left to be done.

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“It’s important to understand that we all have people in our lives who might be discriminated against, whether they’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or another community,” explains Best. “It’s just important to embrace those differences and take the opportunity to learn about different people and how their experiences might be different and how it might be valuable to have friends like that in your life.”

Best points to GSAs (Gay Straight Alliances) and QSA’s (Queer Straight Alliances) in schools as opportunities for continued growth of acceptance in our society.

“We’re really interested in protecting the privacy and the safety of individuals who are parts of those groups,” says Best. “We hope they can find a safe place where if their home or their classroom or circle of friends is not safe, maybe they can find a safe place where they can be themselves and just relax and live a happy life.”

Best notes there is a strong network of support locally for the LGBTQ+ community.

“With the Central Alberta Pride Society and I think with TANAS as well, we see a lot of support for Central Alberta Pride Week and for the many initiatives that we host throughout the year,” she exclaims.

Best also acknowledges great support from local government in the past.

“We as the Central Alberta Pride Society have yet to meet with our new local MLAs, so at this time we’re unsure what to expect,” she admits. “But we’re hopeful and I would say we continue to remain positive and we hope to develop a positive relationship with them.”

Central Alberta Pride Society officials say a flag will remain in place along the balcony at Executive Place through May 17, and they gratefully acknowledge the support of Stantec in their initiative.