TRU Pride Parade attendence shows Kamloops ‘is ready for the change’

KAMLOOPS – The fourth annual Thompson Rivers University Pride Parade marched today on campus and organizers say it’s was the most attended to date.

Julian Simpson, LGBTQ representative on the university’s Student Union says the the outpouring of support has been overwhelming from the community, campus and all those who took part today, Oct. 1.

For Simpson, it shows that Kamloops is “up to the conversation.”

“People are ready for the change,” Simpson says. "We’re here and we’re not going to fade into the background.”

Simpson says the Equity Club on campus spent almost five months organizing the event which included not only a parade, but ASK Wellness and Kamloops PRIDE set up tables in an effort to get their messages out.

Caitlin Orteza, a member of both the Equity Club and the campus Pride Club, says it is important to show LGBTQ students in the community they’re not alone.

“A lot of people feel really marginalized. Events like these have a lot of resources, a lot of people you can meet," Orteza says. "Kamloops is such a small community sometimes people might feel really isolated.”

Federal election candidates Liberal Steve Powrie and New Democrat Bill Sundhu took part, along with city councillor Donovan Cavers.

The parade kicked off of the university’s Pride Discussion entitled Coming Out and Being Out which will take place Oct. 9 and hosted by the Student Union.

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