With Pride Month just days away, the City of Delta held its seventh annual Progress Pride flag-raising ceremony Monday afternoon to recognize and honour the local 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Mayor and councillors, school trustees, representatives from Tsawwassen First Nation and Musqueam Indian Band, members of Delta Pride Society and Sher Vancouver, Delta police and firefighters, and a crowd of friends, family and allies all gathered in front of Delta City Hall on May 26 in a public show of support and solidarity.
“Each year we take this opportunity to honour and celebrate the contributions, spirit and resilience of the 2SLGBTQ+ community through the raising of the Progress Pride Flag. It serves as a visible reminder of the progress that has been made, and the work that has yet to be done to create a more inclusive Delta,” Mayor George Harvie said in a press release.
“During Pride month, and all year long, we stand with the 2SLGBTQ+ community, because everyone deserves to be accepted, valued and treated with respect and dignity."
Pride Month is celebrated in June of each year to commemorate the anniversary of New York City’s Stonewall riots, where members of the gay community protested a police raid of the Stonewall Inn bar in Greenwich Village in the early-morning hours of June 28, 1969, sparking the gay rights movement.
Harvie and Tsawwassen First Nation Executive Coun. Valerie Cross together raised the Progress Pride flag at Monday’s ceremony, following speeches by both as well Musqueam Indian Band Coun. Alec Guerin, Delta Pride Society board member Carol Johnson, Sher Vancouver community engagement manager Joshna Hirani, and Delta school board chair Joe Muego.
In a statement, Delta Pride Society said it is a grateful to the city “for standing in solidarity with us by raising the Pride flag — a powerful symbol of diversity, inclusion and the ongoing fight for equal rights and dignity."
In addition to raising the flag, Monday’s ceremony also served as the launch of several City of Delta initiatives in recognition of Pride Month, including the return of its successful “Be a 2SLGBTQ+ Ally” campaign.
First launched in 2024, the campaign features free 2SLGBTQ+ button pins, which will be available to the public at local recreation centers, City Hall, and Delta’s three libraries. Alongside the pins will be information cards featuring steps to become a 2SLGBTQ+ ally, promoting community education and inclusion.
Rainbow banners will return to Delta’s streets in June, celebrating Pride and reaffirming that “no matter how you identify or whom you love, everyone is welcome in Delta,” according to a city press release.
Three weeks ago, on May 5, the Delta School District held its own flag-raising ceremony to mark the start of Pride Week for Delta students.
Nathan Wilson, the district’s Indigenous Cultural Mentor, opened the ceremony by acknowledging that May 5 is also Red Dress Day, otherwise known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Attendees at the event also included school board vice-chair Val Windsor, Trustee Masako Gooch, and Carol Johnson and Christa Horita Kadach from Delta Pride Society.
“Research shows that students learn best and experience success when they feel they belong. That’s why it is crucial that our schools are safe, welcoming and supportive environments,” said board chair Muego, emphasizing the importance of Pride-related events and initiatives.
“Pride Week in our district is an opportunity for students and staff to honour the history of the Pride movement, recognize the struggles and achievements of those who have fought for equality, and reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear."
As the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag was raised, Stars of the North Drum Group, which includes students Hayley (Grade 8, North Delta Secondary), Melisea (Grade 7, Hellings Elementary) and Octavia (Kindergarten, Hellings Elementary) performed a song called “Spirits of the Sky."
In recent years, the district has expanded its focus on promoting diversity and initiatives to combat discrimination. This past fall, the district developed its Justice and Equity Action Plan, which focuses on eliminating unfair treatment, discrimination and oppression.
“Our goal is to make every student and staff member feel valued, seen, and heard regardless of their sexuality, gender, race or religion,” Superintendent Doug Sheppard said in a press release.
The Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag will fly in front of the school district office until the end of June to celebrate Pride Month.
Meantime, the Delta Pride Society is currently accepting applications for vendors, food trucks, photographers, volunteers and community partners looking to take part in the group’s seventh annual Delta Pride Picnic, happening on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. at Memorial Park in Ladner.
Links to the application form are posted to the society’s social media channels. The deadline to apply is July 17, and approved applicants will be notified by Aug. 1.
— with files from Tom Zillich
