Pride is for everyone, regardless of orientation, race, age, or status. It is about the freedom to express one’s individuality without fear of judgement or prejudice. No individual should face discrimination due to their preferences, beliefs, or appearance. LGBTQ2S+ rights are human rights, and no one should be able to infringe on those rights. Albertans deserve a community that is rich in culture, kind in spirit, and supportive in nature.
As a library association, we cannot forget the importance of intellectual freedom and fighting against censorship. As stated in a previous GELA statement regarding the Alberta government’s interference with the decision-making and collections management capabilities of public libraries through Bill 28. LGBTQ2S+ material continues to face censorship and challenges, and the indiscriminate power that the bill provides to the provincial government would heavily skew what are already carefully curated collections. GELA stands by the ability of librarians to determine how age-appropriate something may be, as well as the belief that the main responsibility to determine what a child can read should lie with the parent / guardian.
The Pride movement began in 1969, with the Stonewall Riots in New York City, when a community stood up against police brutality and discrimination. That same year, Canada also took a step in the same direction, decriminalizing homosexual acts. In 1977, Quebec was the first province to include sexual orientation as a human right, making discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal. In 1992, the Canadian federal court determined that a ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military went against the Canadian Charter. And in 2005, Bill C-38 was formally enacted, legalizing same-sex marriage across Canada. Today, we can openly celebrate our differences with pride, and the Edmonton Pride Parade is just one example of how far we have come in regards to acceptance.
Happy Pride!
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