Pride P.E.I.: Through My Lens

Published by CBC Communications

Standing on the edge of Grafton Street and watching everyone flooding the sidewalks to come together in a time to celebrate was a welcoming sight. The community came together beautifully for this year's Pride P.E.I. festival and it never slowed down for a moment.

There was boundless joy, and smiles that said, "You are here as you are and that is all you need to be."

I found myself watching the crowd, wondering who else was there for the first time, finding solace in a community that has created so much space and a place of belonging.

This was my first Pride parade after coming out as bisexual. I was raised in the church and then left it at 19. Now, at 26, I was looking around me, feeling grateful to have the opportunity to stand here, and express myself fully.

Some of the attendees walked along with water to cool off the crowd, which was graciously received on one of the hottest days Charlottetown has seen this summer. Umbrellas were in abundance to guard against the high noon sun. Bubbles danced through the crowd, and the rippling wave of flags was accentuating the laughter and music that filled downtown.

With the sun beaming on our skin, glistening sweat on our brows, and embraces warmer than the July heat, the unending tide of love never wavered.

The last few years of this pandemic have been stark reminders of the power of community support and care.

This care needs to continue if we are to ensure we are all here to celebrate for years to come.Overcome by the vastness of this community, we march on to a future filled with hope.

More ofPride P.E.I. through Hannah Jay's lens

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• Halifax Pride: Through Maddi Tang's Lens
• Saint John Pride: Through Scott McDade's Lens

Through My Lens is a community series that features the point-of-viewstoriesbehind photos from Atlantic Canada.For Pride celebrations this summer, we offer a peek through the lens of LGBTQ+ photographers andshare their East Coast Pride.