As the desi LGBT support organisation Sher Vancouver joined the Vancouver Pride Parade on Sunday, with its Pride of Bollywood float, they had a surprise guest join them on board and dance along:Canada’s defence minister Harjit Sajjan.
Obviously thrilled at this development, Sher Vancouver’s founder Alex Sangha says: “This is very important symbolically as he’s a very senior federal cabinet minister.
By doing this act in public, he has sent out the message that LGBTs of our community need to be treated with respect, dignity and equality. It’s one thing for an activist like me to shout about this but it’s different when people in positions of power do that.”
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Sangha said, “He has a lot of influence in our community, lot of people look up to him. When people like him stand up for us, other people are more likely to also support us.”
The few dance steps that Sajjan showed off on the float could be a major stride for the Indo-Canadian, specially the Sikh, LGBT community. “He’s really being a pioneer, helping us moving further ahead in our social justice work,” Sangha said.
Bollywood Does Pride!
The Sher Vancouver Pride of Bollywood float is one of the most anticipated floats in the annual Vancouver Pride Parade.
DJ A-Slam was banging bhangra, bollywood, and fusion beats with dancers wearing colourful international costumes.
This year’s float had a larger flat deck with more floor space for dancers.
Thank you to Sher Vancouver members who generously donate their time, money, and support to ensure Sher Vancouver has fabulous representation in the annual Vancouver Pride Parade.
“The Vancouver Pride Parade is a time for the South Asian and larger community to come out and celebrate and send a message that LGBTQ people are not alone. There are thousands of LGBTQ people and their allies in this city and on pride they all come together united as one,” says Alex Sangha.
This is the first time since 2012 that Sher Vancouver had a float in the Vancouver Pride Parade. The float is dedicated to the memory of Sher’s late social coordinator, January Marie Lapuz, who tragically passed away in September 2012. Sher Vancouver is producing a documentary in honor of January and transgender women of colour issues and you can find out more details about the documentary and how to support it at http://januarylapuz.net
Sher Vancouver welcomed everyone as part of their contingent this year. "Sher Vancouver is an inclusive organization that believes in working collaboratively with its community partners. The Vancouver Pride Society has supported Sher Vancouver since our founding in 2008 with awards, funding, and waiving entry fees. Sher Va4ncouver is proud to continue to work together with the Vancouver Pride Society and nurture our relationship to support our members" says Alex Sangha.
About Sher Vancouver
Sher Vancouver is a social, cultural, and support organization for LGBTQ South Asians and their friends, families, and allies. Sher is approaching 650 members! Sher provides advocacy, counselling, information, referral, peer support, social activities, volunteer opportunities, and outreach presentations to combat bullying, racism, and other forms of discrimination. www.shervancouver.com
