Seventeenth Surrey Pride Unites Queer Community

Meeting in Holland Park a sign of solidarity after Orlando shooting

The Orlando shooting at Pulse Nightclub has left queer communities around the world shaken but still strong. During this time of adversity, Pride events have brought the community together to heal, advocate, and celebrate their identities in safe spaces. Right here in the Fraser Valley, Surrey Pride kicked off its seventeenth year on June 26. This year’s events began with Surrey’s first-ever Pride Parade, a one-kilometre march down University Boulevard.

“With an actual parade, even if it’s a short one, it’s still there and the way it will impact the community is that those who are a part of it can know they’re not the only people within the city who are queer and/or trans,” says Ryot “R” Jey, queer students representative for the Kwantlen Student Association. “It allows individuals to come together instead of having to go to Vancouver and access the services out there.”

Jey views Surrey Pride as a sign that the city’s queer community is developing and resilient, which is particularly needed as it recovers from the tragedy at Pulse. He believes that the event “will have more meaning” in light of the massacre, comparing it to the 1969 backlash in New York, when “The NYPD decided to raid Stonewall, a popular gay and queer place where folks would gather,” and incited riots as a result.

“With Surrey Pride, we’re able to march and speak up for them, because those who have passed are not able to do it,” says Jey. “I feel like Surrey Pride will bring that memory back, that we’re still here, and we’re not going to stay silent. We’re not going to allow you to try and destroy our only safe place.”

That opinion is seconded by Sam Larkhem, Clinic Manager with the organization, Health Initiative for Men. HIM is a returning sponsor to Surrey Pride, and they have had a presence at the event for several years.

“If we can stand together, it will strengthen that resolve that has been knocked from us with the Orlando shooting,” says Larkhem. “There usually is a really good feeling of community at Surrey Pride, so I’m anticipating even more of a community feeling because in times like this, we need to stand up, be strong, see one another and feel proud of being who we are.”

He adds that with a small queer community such as Surrey’s, pride events are even more crucial to “making people feel more included and seen.”

The mood at Holland Park on Sunday was welcoming, as anticipated by Jey and Larkhem. The crowd consisted mostly of families and their children, but many were dressed boldly: people in kaleidoscopic costumes were visible in every direction, with the exception being several professionally-dressed MPs and Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner. In front of an enormous rainbow flag, Mayor Hepner made a statement of support while John Aldag, Randeep Sarai, and others looked on.

Bilal Cheema, president for the electoral district association of Fleetwood-Port Kells, is one of many attendees at Surrey Pride, where he lounged under the Liberal’s tent. Proudly, he remarks that the Liberal Party of Canada has “been a proud supporter of pride and pride-related events for many years,” and “had a really large contingent” at both the parade and meeting in Holland Park.

“The Liberals are all about inclusivity [and] making sure there’s a place for everyone in society,” he says. “Love is love. It doesn’t matter, right?”