Around 40 people braved the wind to gather on the grass beside the Estevan Courthouse at noon on May 24. The Estevan LGBTQ Community held a short ceremony marking Pride Week in Estevan. Laura Budd, Education Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Pride in Moose Jaw and others were in attendance and spoke about Pride week.

"The importance of the week is to raise awareness for the rainbow community, the LGBTQ+ community here in Estevan," explained Budd, "the people who are sexually and gender diverse that live and work and play here in Estevan. And to help everyone who lives in Estevan to be a little more empathetic and supportive."

Among the many activities planned throughput the week, there will also be a church service at St.Giles Anglican Church on Sunday morning. 

"Often people of faith do not know how to respect or to be kind to the rainbow community so we're trying to reconcile that. Many people within the rainbow community are people of faith and yet have not felt welcome inside that community. So we want to build that bridge so that people can go back home to their place of worship."

One of the main points that Budd emphasized in her speech to the crowd was the need for awareness and helping others rejoin their community. 

"Often times hatred and anxiety comes out of fear and the unknown, we want to break down those barriers. We don't go rushing into a dark room until we turn the light on. We're trying to turn the light on and welcome people back to their own friends and neighbours and family." 

Karly Garnier cuts the cake for Estevan Pride Week. 

READ MORE: Pride Week Begins in Estevan