The Pride Parade is today and it is fantastic, but the shopping at the festival on Sunset Beach is also pretty spectacular. Many of the vendors who were at Folk Fest will be there. I got this tatoo sleeve at Pride a few years ago. I’m not brave enough for permanent ink. Have fooled many a friend and family member though. Here’s a message from our Mayor that makes me proud to be a Vancouverite.
This time last week I was at the Vatican City, wrapping up meetings with Pope Francis and world Mayors on how we can and must rise to the urgent challenge of climate change.
As the only Canadian Mayor to take part, I was proud of our work together to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world – and grateful for the opportunity to share our story and our goals with cities and states from around the world.
After speaking with the Pope and fellow Mayors from around the world about the injustices of climate change and poverty, it was inspiring to return home to the beginning of Pride Week in Vancouver – and a panel at City Hall on next steps for trans* rights and inclusion.
This kind of leadership and activism – with community-led discussion and dialogue – is really what keeps Vancouver on the leading edge of building a world that is more sustainable, more just, more prosperous, and more free.
When I’m in cities like Rome or the Vatican City, I hear from mayors and leaders from around the world who appreciate the leadership that we’re able to demonstrate in our city, because of the courage, bravery, and heart that is here in our community. We have a society that is opening up and welcoming full inclusion and equality for the LGBTQ2+ community and all of our residents in a spectacular way, which is not the case in many cities around the world where it continues to be very difficult and perilous for people with all different sexualities and gender identities. We know that Vancouver is so much stronger and more vibrant because of that commitment to equality and diversity.
That’s why it was a special honour to raise not only the Pride flag at City Hall this year, but also the trans* flag for the first time ever – following Council’s unanimous passage of my motion to provide stronger legal protections and inclusive programming for trans* residents in Vancouver and all across Canada.
I hope I’ll see you at this Sunday’s exciting Vancouver Pride Parade, and I look forward to continuing our work together to expand Vancouver’s leadership both here at home and on the world stage.
Thanks for your ideas and engagement,
Gregor Robertson
Mayor of Vancouver