Video: Thousands Attend Inaugural Pride Parade
The streets of Hamilton were transformed into rivers of bright colours today [Aug 31] as thousands of people participated in the island’s first Pride Parade, filling the streets as they marched through.
The summer clothes were as bright as the rainbow flags carried by some revellers as they followed a route which took them from Victoria Park along Court, Front, Queen and Church Streets.
Led by a truck carrying DJs playing dance music over loudspeakers, the event had a festive feel, and even a police vehicle accompanying the marchers had been decorated in a temporary rainbow wrap.
A 25-minute highlight video showing the Parade and gathering from various locations:
Onlookers cheered the marchers on from sidewalks and the balconies of buildings along the parade route, many of which were decorated with flags and signs supporting the event.
There were some poignant reminders of the past on display amid the sea of bright colours. Some marchers carried placards emblazoned with photographs of Wilfred [Oopie] Ming, a gay man that was murdered in 1994, and others displayed posters of the late Parliamentarian Dr. John Stubbs, whose 1994 Criminal Code Amendment Bill — the so-called Stubbs Bill — led to the decriminalisation of homosexual acts between consenting male adults in Bermuda.
Today’s Pride event coincides with the 25th anniversary of passage of the Stubbs Bill. Organisers said the parade date was intended, in part, to “mark the work of those that campaigned for decriminalization.”
The parade culminated at the Dundonald Street park where it had started, and was followed by addresses from event organisers and musical performances which lasted into the early evening.
While the crosswalk by Victoria Park which had been painted in rainbow colours to mark the Pride event was partly defaced overnight by vandals, the parade passed peacefully, with it appearing there was just one protester along the route, while the amount of attendees is estimated to have been well into the thousands, with the Police Commissioner tweeting that it was “5,000+.”
What a positive event. Awesome day. A far cry from the mess of carnival.
We don’t have to trash one event to give props to the other.
“We don’t have to trash one event to give props to the other.”
Then why did you spend so much time trashing the pride parade, before it happened?
A very positive, well organized & attended community event just like May 24th, Heroes Weekend, Cup Match, Labour Day, the Christmas Parade, The Ag Show. However, this is the ONLY event that had protestors showing us that there is hatred living amongst us, especially within many of our so-called halls of worship! Something tells me that if Jesus was alive here today, he would have been at the front of the Parade yesterday.
Dont know about that, obviously you have’nt heard de story of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Didn’t hear you bringing this up with the disgusting displays during Heroes weekend. Hypocrite.
I know, you are absolutely right. Just have to get past the thought of 2 men being together like that.
Kinda hard for me to comprehand so bare with me.
“Just have to get past the thought of 2 men being together like that.”
Why do you spend so much time thinking about what two men might be doing?
Sounds like your fantasizing about it a lot.
Seems like you have an issue with your own sexuality…why project your shortcomings onto others?
Stop spending our money on frivolous pursuits Premier and company.
Like on Brown.
Watching the parade on Bernews, its showing me that there are still two Bermuda’s,tomorrow its the BIU’S parade,lets see how many will be there.
It is not supposed to be the BIU’s parade but you are right it IS the BIU’s parade. There are a lot of people that see the BIU as a political arm of a plp government. Given the damage these two entities have caused to the economy why would anyone want to support it? No I wasn’t at the pride parade either so quit the two Bermudas thing.
People set on , and intentionally , looking for ’2 Bermudas’ will always be able to find an example in anything they see. No matter how mundane or incorrect.
And the labour day parade has existed for decades and has always had support . This was a totally new and significant event. Obviously you weren’t there. Why not ? Why do you conversely expect these people to support what YOU like ?
If you were in the parade you would have only seen one Bermuda..it was wonderful from start to finish…..I hope it is an annual event that grows every year….nothing but love and positivity….love conquers all
I won’t be there because I find it hard to support a BIU that shut the island down because of the vulgar idea that my kids who were born here and raised here might be offered a pathway to status. Yet I found it easy to participate in a parade that was for inclusion, diversity, love and respect. Call me crazy.
Why is the Canadian labour day holiday so important to you?
Love is Love!!!! So proud of the support to love one another despite our diversity. PLP go lie down!!!!!!
“A very positive, well organized & attended community event just like May 24th, Heroes Weekend, ”
Unlike Heroes Weekend, there was no overt display of disgusting straight sexuality. No scantily clad ‘ladies’ grinding up against public furniture or police motorcycles.
Wowsa that was a load of fun. Nothing but love and respect for all on display.
Okay!!
Now, INDEPENDENCE ,to get away from Britain!!
You aren’t an independent thinker are you? You stick to a script handed out to you and avoid any deep thinking on any issue.
Independent Bahamas won’t be able to call on Britton for help! Remember that!
Please cut it out with the independent countries will be left to flounder on their own nonsense.
Of the arguments to be made against Independence, hurricane relief is NOT a valid one. Bahamas will get assistance and aid if it’s needed.
And there’s it is. The SOLE reason these lot are so vehement about the Privy Council case.
So dishonest. It’s sad.
This day wasn’t about how many whites were in attendance but why there weren’t sufficient blacks given the proportion of our society. Those who did attend both black and white experienced a unity that was reminiscent of an old Bermuda cultural when we all loved each other. The majority of LBGTQI are black and they need support. Where were you?