The Collingwood Pride Festival talked about for three years has finally begun.
The rainbow flag was raised at the Collingwood Public Library on July 15, 2022, with Rainbow Club president John Miller leading the event.
Miller reminded the large crowd gathered of the origins of pride in 1969 when the Stonewall Inn in New York was raided by police and the patrons arrested for being gay. Riots and protests followed.
In 1970, on the anniversary of the raids, several hundred people began marching in New York City and were joined by thousands in the first-ever Gay Pride parade.
"We're here to recognize the minorities and the struggles they've faced," said Miller. "Things are different now, but people are still suffering. That's why we have Pride and that's why we have a flag raising."
He shared his vision to make Collingwood the safest place for people in the LGBTQ+ community to live and thrive.
There will be a Pride Parade on Hurontario Street on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. Tonight the street party will continue until 11 p.m.
For a full list of Collingwood Pride Festival events, visit pridecollingwood.com.
