The members of Saint John, New Brunswick and the surrounding regions include a diversity of people. Within these communities are the GLBTQ community. This year, there was controversy in the parade regarding the outfits of some of our participants. These outfits fell completely within legal parameters and the police officers attending as our escorts saw no reason to ask the persons whom were involved to change or cover up as they were breaking no laws.

We demand the right to keep our Pride parade every year. Our freedom of speech is important and we will not roll over and allow it to be taken away from us. This is yet another step in the fight for equal rights that every Canadian citizen is deserving of.

Do not give in to close-minded people and try to deny us our rights based on their attitudes. We live in progressive times in a city that claims the title of "Renaissance City", so let us follow in that and move forward, not backward because of a few people who are not ready to join us in a more embracing community.