The Okanagan Pride Society has announced that Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran will be the grand marshal of the 2015 Pride march.The march will take place Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. from Stuart Park to the Jubilee Bowl in City Park.
Organizers of this year’s Okanagan Pride Festival expect a record turnout with the increase in awareness of equality issues resulting from the Supreme Court of the United States recent ruling on marriage.
“I believe in an inclusive and accepting city,” said Basran. “I want Kelowna to be a community where people are free to be who they were born to be, without discrimination. I am absolutely honoured to be named the Grand Marshal of this year’s Pride March and look forward to walking beside my friends as we help create awareness and strengthen our community.”
Organizers invite the public to come out with their rainbow colours, voices, and advocacy signs to march in solidarity for equality and the celebration of diversity on Aug. 15.
“We are delighted to have our mayor take this significant role in leading our Pride march this year,” said Okanagan Pride Society president, Wilbur Turner. “Colin has always been a vocal supporter of what we stand for as an organization. Even in 2015, it is not a uniform occurrence to receive mayoral support for Pride festivals in Canada, and we do not take this support for granted.”
The mayor recently proclaimed Aug. 8 to 15, 2015 as Pride Week in Kelowna to mark the annual Okanagan Pride Festival with ten events taking place over the seven days. Find out more information at http://okanaganpride.com/festival.
