OUR VIEW: Pride month a perfect time to celebrate Surrey’s diversity

For the first time, the Pride flag is flying at Surrey City Hall to celebrate Pride Month.

The move is seen as a “celebration and acceptance” of the rainbow community in Surrey, said Martin Rooney, president of Surrey Pride.

Considering the state of affairs in the world these days, the message of love, acceptance and embracing diversity could not be more timely.

In one way, it’s encouraging to see that as a society, we are beginning to understand that everyone is unique, in some form or another. On the other hand, it’s sad to think that awareness campaigns such as Pride Month and other initiatives set forth by LGBTQ communities worldwide are even necessary.

But they are.

One of the most common misinformed arguments we hear from opponents to such initiatives as Pride Month is: “Why don’t we have a Heterosexual Pride Month?” The answer is simple: we don’t need one. Heterosexuals are not persecuted for the simple reason of loving someone that someone else deems inappropriate.

There was a time, not too long ago, where the LGBTQ community could look at the societal progress made toward discrimination and think, “there will come a day…”

Sadly, even that concept has taken a giant leap backward these days. Diversity is everywhere; whether it is referring to skin colour, religious denomination, or sexual orientation.

We, as a species, should embrace our diversity. And, not just this month, but perhaps for many of us, starting this month, let’s be tolerant of others – as we would want them to be tolerant of us.

Hopefully, there comes a time when the need for Pride Month no longer exists.

– Black Press Media