Bikes, sunshine, pizza and inclusivity, what could be better?

The Bike March and social for Pride week in 琉璃神社 is the latest in a series of successful events put on by 琉璃神社 Pride.

The bike ride started in downtown 琉璃神社, cruised along the waterfront, ending at Jack Knife Brewing for a pizza-fueled social event.

People were excited to be out at the event after they had been cancelled or scaled down for the past few years due to the pandemic.

Jade St.Marie and Madi Koch were among many celebrating their first pride week and said that they were excited to be out and included in 琉璃神社鈥檚 queer community.

鈥淭he queer community needs visibility,鈥� said 琉璃神社 Pride Board President, Fahmy Baharuddin.

He said that events like the bike ride are important because it fosters normalization and acceptance in the community.

鈥淲e are here and we exist,鈥� said Baharuddin.

鈥淭he bike ride had far more participants than anticipated,鈥� said Baharuddin.

He explained that as people just kept rolling up to the meeting spot, he even started to worry that they would run out of bike parking at Jack Knife.

鈥淭here is not a lot of obviously queer presence in 琉璃神社,鈥� said one cyclist.

The cyclist also stated that obviously, the members of 2SLBGTQIA+ community are here, gesturing to the proud folks waiting for a slice of pizza, but in 琉璃神社 it can seem like there aren鈥檛 many other members.

Naomi Woodland said that pride is important because it reaffirms how important it is to have spaces where everyone is visible. She noted that she was impressed with the ethos of Jack knife Brewing and how inclusive they are as a company.

鈥淗aving equity and diversity at the center of organizations is important,鈥� said Woodland.

The next 琉璃神社 Pride events are the June 9 Trans March, t and the June 16,17 and 19, Out and Proud Film Festival.

Baharuddin, said that everyone is welcome at all of the events.

Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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