1st Portage la Prairie Pride parade draws group of protesters

Hundredsof people in Portage la Prairie cheered while carrying colourful banners as theymarchedpast a small group of protesters at the city's first Pride parade Saturday.

The event got underway at 10a.m. with a rally, followed by the march at 11a.m.

A small group of protesters wasseen holding religious signs at the east side entry of the city earlier but then moved into the city along the parade routeas the march began.

Parade organizer Callie McArthursaid the exchanges between marchers and protesterswererespectful.

"At first I was a little bit antsy, I didn't know what to expect, but I walked with the mayor and they were actually all waving at him saying 'Good morning Mr. mayor' and one of them actually said 'Good for you,'" McArthur.

"They were very peaceful and they were just doing their thing and we were doing ours."

Portage la Prairie MayorIrvin Ferris said he is "very proud of the people of Portage" for coming out to the event.

"Portage has made a lot of progress over the last few years. We still have a ways to go, like a lot of other communities," Ferris said."This was just an amazing day."

BobOlynyk, owner of Mr. Fix-It in Portage la Prairie, said he was proud to walk in the parade.

Olynyk said hehasknownpeople in the local LGBT community for 60 years and was happy they were given the opportunity to openly celebrate who they are.

"It's about time that they had the chance, the experience to come out and let the world know who they are deep down inside," Olynyk said, adding that as a Christian it was important to him to stand up for equality.

"This walk today has shown a lot of people that I do supporting everyone.... There's two sides of the coin: the bible says that man with woman, woman with man is correct. The other side of the coin is to love thy neighbour the way you would yourself, support don't judge that's the side of the coin I'm on."

LydiaDaniels the mother of missing manColten Pratt, walked in the march with a group of family and friends.

Danielsparticipated for her son,who went missing in November of 2014at the age of 27.

"We thought it's great that Portage la Prairie has had a Pride for people to open their minds and hearts to the LGBT community," Danielssaid, adding her son is Indigenous and gay. "We're also here to put my son Colten Pratt out inpublic in the eye once again."

Premier Brian Pallister and local MLA Ian Wishartsaid on Monday that they would both be away with family and unable to attend. Other members of the Progressive Conservative Caucus did take part.

Tickets to asocial in Portage la Prairieplanned for Saturday evening after the march reportedly sold out earlier in the week.