Pride is an important event for the 2SLGBTQI+ community. It’s a diverse and loving group of people who are our neighbours, friends, co-workers, staff, and family.
From time immemorial people within this community have had to hide their existence for fear of reprisal, bullying, and even death.
In 2026 there are 11 countries that retain the death penalty for same sex activity – Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), at least 64 to 67 countries globally criminalize same-sex relations.
Death and prison simply for being who you have always been; simply for wanting to be loved like any human. How does one live their lives under such horror on a daily basis? Many can’t. Here’s some quick web research:
“LGBTQ individuals are 2 to 4 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and attempts than their heterosexual and cisgender peers, with disparities driven by minority stressors such as discrimination, bullying, and family rejection rather than inherent traits.
Bisexual individuals face the highest risk, followed by gay and lesbian individuals, with women in these groups often showing greater disparity relative to heterosexual women than men do relative to heterosexual men.
Protective Factors: LGBTQ youth living in accepting communities attempt suicide at less than a third the rate of those in unaccepting communities, and those accepted by their families are significantly less likely to attempt suicide than those who face rejection.
Youth Statistics: LGBTQ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight peers; recent surveys indicate 36% seriously considered suicide and 10% attempted it in the past year.
Adult Disparities: In large population-based studies, the incidence rate of suicide-related behaviors was 5,911.9 per 100,000 for bisexual individuals, 664.7 for gay/lesbian individuals, and 224.7 for heterosexuals.
Transgender Risks: Transgender and nonbinary youth are 2 to 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than cisgender LGBQ peers, with rates 5.87 times higher than the average for all teens.
Intersectional Factors: Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth report the highest attempt rates (23%), while Black transgender and nonbinary youth report 25% attempting suicide in the past year.”
Even here in Canada shame, oppression, mockery and out-right (or maybe alt-right) hate continue to plague the Pride community. This is why Pride events are necessary especially in communities where that hate and fear remain high.
In the Pembina Valley we have been fortunate to have an organization of committed, wonderful people organize local Pride events in communities like Morden (mine), Carman, and Altona. It makes a difference. This week the city of Morden unveiled a Pride bench at the civic centre that proclaims All are welcome here” over Pride flag colours. I don’t think this would have happened without Pembina Valley Pride.
Over the years one community has been absent from annual Pride events – the city of Winkler. There are many amazing people in Winkler however there is a strong and vocally anti-Pride portion that has made hosting Pride events a lot more frightening for organizers. Time was needed.
This year (tomorrow in fact) will be when the first ever Pride event will be held in Winkler.
Approximately 4.4% of the Canadian population aged 15 and older identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This represents about 1.3 million Canadians, or roughly 1 in 20 people.
Data from Statistics Canada (2019–2021) indicates that 10.5% of youth aged 15 to 24 identify as 2SLGBTQ+, a significantly higher share than any other age group.
The current estimated population of Winkler is nearly 17,000 people. That means there are 748 people in the city who identify as part of the Pride community, not to mention those who are still closeted out of fear. Additionally this means that as many as 1,785 people between the ages of 15-25 are part of the Pride community.
ASIDE: If you are a teacher or administrator in Winkler pay attention to that last statistic. Out of an estimated 4,300 students 452 identify as part of the Pride community. You have a responsibility to make sure these students are cared for, protected and have their needs met. Remember the suicide rates for Pride youth – acceptance is a huge factor in reducing that number…in keeping kids alive.
The point is that Winkler, despite the strong anti-Pride sentiments that run through the population, has a large and growing Pride community and tomorrow’s Pride event lets them know they are not invisible, they are not evil, they are loved and that there are people from all over the Pembina Valley and the province who will be coming out to make sure you know this…to make sure you know that you are not alone, that you have value.
This is why an event like Winkler Pride is so incredibly important. If you can be there please be there. You can find information on the event at https://www.pembinavalleypride.ca/ . Your presence will be meaningful and powerful!
A final note.
There have been absolutely horrible, hateful, mocking, comments on social media about all things Pride related in the Pembina Valley lately. Comments from people so emboldened they do not hide their identities and feel they can hate right out in the open and that their employers, customers, co-workers, friends and family will be fine with that. This is another reason for why the Pride event in Winkler (and all Pride events) are so critical to the well-being of the Pride community. Here is a small selection but I warn you – many are horrific.
