THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay’s 2022 Pride festival saw roughly 1,000 attendees within the first hour of the event and Jason Veltri, president of the Rainbow Collective Thunder Bay says that he’s thrilled to have everybody back in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
“We’re finally reunited after two years of being apart to see folks coming out on the street enjoying the festival and the music and the food, it’s a pretty overwhelming day right now to see as many people out,” he said.
The festival featured many booths, including vendors from the 2SLGBTQIA community, snacks and drinks, and plenty of activities for kids to enjoy.
“It’s really nice seeing everybody bounded together, everybody connecting and accepting everybody for who they are,” said Avery Foster, pride attendee.
“Especially now after COVID, after the pandemic, it’s really nice, especially, like, nobodies wearing masks and it’s really cool because we all get to be together again and celebrate everybody for who we are.”
Veltri says that it’s important to remember that pride still matters especially with what we’re currently seeing in the States and around the world.
“This anti-trans, anti-homosexual behavior laws, governors that are restricting the rights of trans people to play sports,” he said. “We have to exist. We have to be seen. We have to be valued. And this is part of that process is having these celebrations, gathering as groups, and really ensuring that our voices are heard and we can live authentically as we are.”
