Winkler’s mayor is calling for respect after his southern Manitoba city was been chosen as the site for a Pride march for the first time.

Henry Siemens said in a Facebook post he’s fielded many comments about the event, after Pembina Valley Pride announced on social media its Pride march this year will be held in Winkler, the largest community in the Pembina Valley region.

Siemens stressed the event isn’t being hosted by the city, but rather a private group.

He wrote that while he and council “don’t personally support all of the beliefs or ideologies of the various groups or events that might take place in Winkler,” they do support “individual freedom to plan and host their own events.”

“It is my sincere prayer that we, as a community, find a way to respect one another’s freedoms and pray that no one event would define who we are.”

In an interview, Siemens said he wanted to clear up any confusion, including from people who thought the event is being hosted by the city.

“I believe that it is important, as I mentioned in my [Facebook] post, that people are able to speak freely and if there are people who have a concern, they should be able to share it. If there are people who are supportive, they should also be able to share it.”

Pembina Valley Pride president Pauline Emerson-Froebe knows many people are excited Winkler will be hosting the June 13 march.

The group puts out a survey after every Pride, and when people were asked where they wanted the next event to be, Winkler was the top choice.

Winkler’s population was nearly 14,000, according to the 2021 census, but has grown since then.

Pride shows ‘you’re not alone’

Emerson-Froebe said it’s important to bring a Pride event to a city that is often regarded as a highly religious and conservative community.

“Sometimes, especially in rural areas, a lot of the queer community can feel like they’re the only one, and that really creates a sense of loneliness and isolation for a lot of people,” Emerson-Froebe told CBC Manitoba’s Radio Noon on Wednesday.

“Having a Pride really sends a clear message that you’re not alone.”

The reaction she’s seen on social media has been largely supportive, she said.

“In our experience, the most hateful and hurtful voices are often the loudest, and they don’t always represent the larger community of quieter supporters in the community.”

She said people who don’t like the event don’t need to attend.

Emerson-Froebe considers the Facebook post from Winkler’s mayor to be a “lovely response.”

Siemens eventually closed commenting on his post.

Pembina Valley Pride has been organizing annual in-person events for the 2SLGBTQ+ community since 2019, excluding a two-year absence owing to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

It’s been hosted twice in Morden, twice in Altona and once in Carman.

Emerson-Froebe expects this year’s event to include a rally, a march, a rainbow church service, drag performances and an afterparty at Carman 5 Pin Bowl.