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“Overwhelming” support shown for pride parade

What was originally planned to be a small, school-wide pride event put on by the Aurora Gay-
Straight Alliance (GSA) club at East Three Secondary School has turned into a community pride
parade.

Samantha McKay/NNSL photo
Jasmine Keogak, left, Jill Nugent, and Katelynn Crocker of the Aurora Gay-Straight Alliance
club at East Three Secondary gear up to host their first-ever pride parade in Inuvik April 21.

“We had envisioned a small event, and then since presenting it to town council, there’s been
overwhelming support and it’s becoming a lot bigger than we originally planned,” said Jill
Nugent, the GSA’s supervising teacher.
Katelynn Crocker, member of the GSA and pride organizer, said the event started out as a pride
walk that would happen at the school. Now, community members have volunteered to build
floats, speak at the event, and more. Crocker said they were really happy with the way their
proposal has been received.
“Everybody has been really supportive. It made me super excited. After we presented at council,
there has been such a good response,” Crocker said. “Not just from the council, but from a lot of
people from the community and even from Yellowknife. People have been congratulating us and
saying they’re proud of what we’re doing.”
The pride parade will feature a keynote speaker, a pride walk, and a free barbecue. Nugent said
they’re working on the paperwork to close down a town street for the parade.
Crocker said she hopes the parade will bring the Inuvik community together.
“The town has not always been very inclusive or tolerant towards people of the LGBTQ+
community,” Crocker said. “This will be opening up a new chapter and just really connect
everything together, so instead of having that division that has always been there, we’re more of
one big group.”
The GSA aims to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community in the school as well as their
allies. They meet every Tuesday after school in Ms. Nugent’s classroom. On Feb. 9 and 10, the
GSA will be traveling to Tuktoyaktuk to support the Rainbow Day event held by the Mangilaluk
School’s GSA club.
Crocker said they hope to make the pride parade an annual event.