Filmon first L.G. to address Manitoba Pride rally

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This article was published 18/05/2016 (3489 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon will become the first representative of the Queen in Manitoba to address the Pride celebration.

Filmon’s office confirmed Wednesday that she will speak to the 29th annual Winnipeg Pride parade and rally from the steps of the Manitoba legislature at 11 a.m. on June 5. The event celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) culture and pride.

“She’s happy to be able to do it,” said a member of her staff.

The lieutenant-governor does not give interviews, and has not given a hint of what she will say, said the official.

“It’s very exciting,” said Pride president Jonathan Niemczak.

“It’s big for our organization and our community — it’s another level of involvement, to have the representative of our head of state,” Niemczak said. It’s a show of support “for a community that’s been marginalized and victimized by the state.

“We’ve always received a letter from the lieutenant-governor for our program,” but this is the first time the Manitoba lieutenant-governor has addressed Pride, he said.

“We did invite her — we got the formal confirmation in February,” he said.

Filmon’s participation first became public on her monthly list of upcoming engagements.

Only a handful of representatives of the Queen has taken any part in Pride events across Canada, he said. “Most Prides don’t get that level — it’s not common.”

He said that former premier Greg Selinger spoke and marched the past two years. Earlier this week, Premier Brian Pallister said he would be at Pride this year, but did not elaborate on what he would be doing.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca