Military base raises Pride flag for first time in Canadian history

The temperature is rising, the days are getting longer, and the time has come to break out the sunscreen because melanoma’s a bitch. Yes, summer is here, and with it comes Pride season.

Say what you will about Pride season, but every year, we make strides toward a world where the LGBT community is treated with the same respect and dignity as everyone else. This year, Canada’s taken another step in the right direction, with a military base in Edmonton becoming the first base in Canada to raise a rainbow flag in honour of Pride.

The rainbow flag, a symbol for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, was raised near the base headquarters building. It will remain in place for one week to coincide with Edmonton’s Pride Festival.

“It was history in the making, it was monumental,” said McDougall, speaking about the ceremony. “That being said … it’s a big deal but it really shouldn’t be that big of a deal. We’re such an inclusive society — Canada as a whole, not just the military — it shouldn’t be a big deal to be gay.

“But it is a big deal that the flag is being raised for the first time at a military base. I think that’s part of the sign of the times and it’s a further reflection of the military’s inclusiveness and their diversity.” [SOURCE]

I know that Pride ennui has already set in — here, Patrick Range McDonald, have a free CD — but I still think Pride is something to be celebrated. It’s not the most serious thing in the world, but it’s a once-a-year thing that brings people together. It’s like Christmas. You can either be the Grinch who stole Pride, or you can just say run with it and let it bring out the best in you.

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