The countdown is on.
On July 31, a Safe’n’Sound Squamish float, will roll down the 38th Annual Vancouver Pride Parade route, marking the first time a Squamish pride organization has been in the parade.
The Squamish group’s co-founder Trevor Blackman-Wulff can hardly wait.
“I think it speaks volumes,” he said.
The massive parade, the highlight of a weeklong series of events, boasts about 150 entries.
A contingent of at least 22 Squamish residents will take part either marching beside or riding on the Safe’n’Sound float, which locals will recognize as the former Test of Metal logistics vehicle.
Members of the group gathered July 14 in a meeting room at Quest University to go over plans and decorate Safe’n’Sound shirts.
For Safe’n’Sound members participating in the Vancouver parade means exposure for the Squamish organization and a celebration of the local youth who will take part, Blackman-Wulff said.
“Visibility has always been a big thing for Safe’n’Sound,” he said.
“To know that the youth… that they can be themselves and celebrate themselves and be proud of themselves is huge for Safe’n’Sound.”
Blackman-Wulff teared up when he spoke of what the parade day will be like.
“Going back to the first time I went to a pride parade, to when I went to the west end [of Vancouver], I thought it was this magical place because there was two men holding hands and nobody was flinching,” said Blackman-Wulff , who was born and raised in Squamish.
“I was gay-bashed really badly in Squamish and so it was like a wonderland for me, so to get to watch the youth just be themselves and express themselves and be open in a manner that will be so unguarded for them is I think going to be the most rewarding thing.”
Mayor Patricia Heintzman said it was “fantastic” Safe’n’Sound would represent Squamish in the iconic parade.
“They have done a lot of great programming in the community,” she said. “I think it will reflect greatly on Squamish. Good on them.”
The June 12 shooting of 49 revellers at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., reinforces the need for organizations like Safe’n’Sound and gay pride events, said Blackman-Wulff, who organized a Squamish vigil following the shooting.
“We should never be silenced,” he said. “That could be Vancouver, that could be Toronto, and they were just dancing. But I thought it was so important for us to send a message of, it is time for us to stand tall and stand proud and be strong together, and link arms together and show our colours. Vancouver Pride is a huge opportunity to do that.”
But in the wake of the shooting, safety of the parade participants is also on Blackman-Wulff’s mind.
“I have concerns,” he added.
The Vancouver Pride Society has ramped up security for the event this year and is working closely with the police department and a private security firm, according to Blackman-Wulff.
“They have taken those extra steps to ensure a higher degree of safety than any other previous year,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is slated to march in the parade for the first time, which will also raise the level of security for everyone at the event, Blackman-Wulff said.
Ultimately, he would like to see a pride parade take place in Squamish.
“It has always been a dream of mine,” he said. “I have thought about it for… probably 30 years.”
Heintzman said she would welcome such a parade, if the group wanted to organize it.
But for now, Blackman-Wulff has his sights set on Vancouver’s upcoming event.
While there aren’t many spots left to march with Safe’n’Sound – 24 people can be included with the float – he would love to see Squamish residents come down to cheer on the Safe’n’Sound group.
“It would be absolutely beautiful to see a crew of Squamish community people cheering us on and showing their support because as much as it is about us standing loud and proud and being ourselves – it is for youth, it is for siblings, it is for allies –Safe’n’Sound is about supporting everybody.”
For more on Safe’n’Sound Squamish go to, www.safensoundsquamish.com.
