A ceremony was held in Belleville Friday to mark the start of Pride Month in the Quinte Region, but the chair of Bay of Quinte Pride says some of the focus needs to be put elsewhere.
Given everything happening in the U.S. and beyond, with protests and support growing around the Black Lives Matter Movement, John Ross Parks says “it’s not about just one group of people”.
Parks says Pride is about equality and getting elected officials and people in power to acknowledge the struggle, and “how far we still have to go”.
Bay of Quinte Pride Chair John-Ross Parks and Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk share a moment at the raising of the Pride flag in Belleville, on June 5, 2020. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk says Pride Month is an important one for the city and its residents.
Panciuk added that even with the COVID-19 pandemic putting limits on the type of celebrations that can be had, it doesn’t take away from the importance of flying the flag and the awareness it raises.
Members of Belleville City Council, staff, the Belleville Police Service and Bay of Quinte Pride watch the Pride flag being raised outside the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre, on June 5, 2020. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
