Pride march returns to Manitoba's Bible Belt Saturday for round 2

The organizers of a controversial Pride march that attracted thousands to Manitoba's Bible Belt last year are getting ready for a second celebration this Saturday and are promising it'll be worth the trip.

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But organizer Michelle McHale said so far no area politicians have replied to an invitation to the march, which attracted national attention last year.

"We're not certain at this point," McHale said of the crowd organizers are expecting to see Saturday.

Steinbach MLA and Manitoba Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen said earlier this year he would be out of town for the event, but even if he was around he wouldn't attend because he felt there was too much shaming toward folks who didn't participate in last year's march, like himself.

Goertzenpublicly voiced his opposition to gay marriageat a 2003 rally in front of the Manitoba Legislature. That same year, his concerns were echoed by many Steinbach residents who were vocal when a federal committee visited the communityto talk about the legalization of gay marriage.

"I was really sad to hear that," McHale said. She added she wants to see an elected leader in the area stand up for LGBT constituents who have a difficult battle to face.

"There's a lot of discrimination happening," she said.

Last year's march divided Steinbach, a predominantly Mennonite community and Manitoba's third-largest city. Organizers said they expected protesters but none showed up.

Instead, a sea of rainbow colours blanketed the city and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a message to the march that MP Dan Vandal read in front of Steinbach's City Hall.

"It was fairly overwhelming," said Chris Plett, a gay man who grew up near Steinbach. Plett said he knew from a young age he was gay but had to hide in the closet and go back in it after coming out.

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He recalls his parents talking about how gay people would go to hell and being bullied in high school.

"I always had to hide and couldn't really talk about who I was."

'My beliefs say that is wrong'

Some Steinbach-area residents aren't happy the march is coming to the city for a second year.

"My beliefs say that that is wrong, so I don't support it at all," said Marcy Kornelsen, who is opposed to the march.

"It's stupid that it has to be done," she added.

A spokesperson for Premier Brian Pallister said the premier attended Pride Winnipeg last year and is invited to alot of events but can't make it to all of them.

'We wish the organizers and participants of this year's Steinbach Pride a safe and wonderful event," addedChisholm Pothier.

Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen and Provencher MP Ted Falk didn't return requests for comment on this story.