More than 500 people, including newly elected MLA Darryl Plecas and Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman, show support for an expanded “Walk Away From Homophobia” event

More than 500 people took part in the Fraser Valley’s first Pride parade on May 25, 2013 — a turnout that its Abbotsford organizers celebrated as larger than expected.  “We did not anticipate this big of a turnout!” co-organizer Cherese Reemaul told Xtra before taking the stage to address participants. “I’m a little bit overwhelmed.”

The inaugural Fraser Valley Pride march came five years after opponents deterred a student initiative to hold a parade in the heavily conservative, religious area. This year, not only did the city’s mayor speak at the parade, but Christian groups participated and called on co-religionists to reconsider their opposition to homosexuality.  Read the rest of this story at Xtra…

Fraser Valley Youth Society organized and sponsored the first-ever LGBTQ pride parade, in what is considered part of British Columbia’s “Bible belt,” made local history and attracted attention from media across the country. The Province reported that for several years prior to the parade, the Fraser Valley Youth Society has held an annual event called the Walk Away From Homophobia. This year, a decision was made to “change the discussion,” explained organizer Angela Ostrikof:

“We wanted to tell another story. The previous walk was important, but this year it was less about victimization and the struggle, and more about being equal.” (The Province)

Xtra reports that The Lighthouse Church joined the parade carrying signs that read “We’re sorry for what the church has done to the GLBTQ community.”  One of the congregation’s members is quoted as explaining that many people of faith are coming to terms with gay issues and becoming more accepting:

“I’ve been kicked out of many churches,” Otto von Bischoffshausen told Xtra. “I thought for a few years that God hated me with all his guts. But you have to look at the Bible as a whole. You can’t just isolate six different verses out of a huge Bible — it’s a huge book, and to take out six verses to destroy people? We can’t do that . . . God truly loves you for whoever you are.”

The Abbotsford Times quotes Abbotsford mayor Bruce Banman as saying everyone, regardless of their sexuality, had the right to feel safe and secure:

“It’s fundamentally important for young people, who are at the beginning of a lifelong exploration of who they are . . . to be able to explore their identity in an environment where people support them.” (Abbotsford Times)

The mayor also thanked the Fraser Valley Youth Society for its work to build inclusiveness in the community.

We speak with Adam Roper, of Fraser Valley Youth Society.

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RELATED | Photos: Abbotsford celebrates first pride parade |

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Abbotsford celebrated its first Fraser Valley Pride Parade on May 25, 2013. The event was organized by the Fraser Valley Youth Society that works with youth to promote inclusiveness and diversity around sexuality and gender. At least 700 people turned out for the event which wound up at city hall, where they got a welcome by Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman.