For the first time, Surrey will fly the Pride flag at city hall during the month of June, says the Surrey Pride Society.
The move is seen as a “celebration and acceptance” of the rainbow community in Surrey said Martin Rooney, president of Surrey Pride.
The city did fly the flag after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Flordia in 2016. In 2016, Surrey council voted unanimously to fly the pride flag at city hall in “solidarity, sympathy and support for the LGBTQ community following the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.”
The flag remained up at city hall for several weeks until Surrey’s annual pride parade on June 26, 2016.
Rooney says it is time that the Pride flag be flown.
“By flying the flag, not only are you showing that the city is welcoming to its residents, it is also welcoming to Rainbow businesses that may want to come to town.”
Rooney added that he was very thankful to Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke for following through on her election promise.
The Now-Leader has reached out to Locke for comment.
READ MORE: Surrey flies the gay pride flag
Surrey Pride announced in a news release on Thursday that the 24th annual Pride festival will be held at Civic Plaza. Rooney stated in the release, the new location was due to the intervention from Locke that they are able to host the festival at Civic Plaza instead of Central City Plaza.
The festival will include storytimes, drag performances, Bhangra dancers, and an Indigenous welcome. It will feature performances by Arrival- The Abba Tribute Band, Jesse Schulte, Wescoast Harmony, Richard Tichleman and Short Notice Band. Myria Le Noir will be the emcee.
-With files from Kevin Diakiw
anna.burns@surreynowleader.com
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