Queen City Pride Cancels Provincial Flag-Raising, Excludes Saskatchewan Party from Celebrations
Regina, SK –
Queen City Pride has announced that it will not be holding its annual flag-raising ceremony at the Provincial Legislative Building in Regina on June 1st. The organization made the decision due to the actions of the current Saskatchewan government, which it does not believe is an ally of the LGBTQ2S+ community.In a release, Queen City Pride stated that it “does not believe it would be appropriate” to allow the Saskatchewan Party to take part in the flag-raising ceremony, which is typically held to proclaim Pride month in the province. The organization cited the government’s passing of Bill 137, also known as the Parents’ Bill of Rights, in October 2023, and invocation of the notwithstanding clause to pass it, as reasons for its decision.
“Based on the actions of this provincial government, we are not allowing them to be part of our celebrations,” the statement read. “This includes the Pride month proclamation as well as parade entry.”
The Saskatchewan government has not yet commented on Queen City Pride’s decision.
About Queen City Pride
Queen City Pride is a non-profit organization that works to promote the visibility, equality, and inclusion of the LGBTQ2S+ community in Regina and surrounding areas. The organization hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the annual Pride festival, which is typically held in June.
About Bill 137
Bill 137, also known as the Parents’ Bill of Rights, was passed by the Saskatchewan government in October 2023. The bill gives parents the right to opt their children out of any school curriculum or activity that they believe is not in line with their values. Critics of the bill argue that it will allow parents to discriminate against their children based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Notwithstanding Clause
The notwithstanding clause is a provision in the Canadian Constitution that allows provincial governments to override certain sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Saskatchewan government invoked the notwithstanding clause to pass Bill 137, which means that the bill cannot be challenged in court on the basis that it violates the Charter.
Reaction to Queen City Pride’s Decision
Queen City Pride’s decision has been met with mixed reactions. Some members of the LGBTQ2S+ community have praised the organization for taking a stand against the Saskatchewan government, while others have expressed disappointment that the flag-raising ceremony will not be held. The Saskatchewan government has not yet commented on Queen City Pride’s decision.
It is important to note that the views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Queen City Pride or any other organization.
