For the first time ever, the Pride flag is flying at Alberta’s RCMP K Division Headquarters.
RCMP Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan raised the rainbow flag – symbolizing support of LGBTQ rights and equality – Friday afternoon in Edmonton.
It will stay there for 10 days to coincide with the 2016 Pride Festival in Edmonton.
Ryan had the honour of raising the flag Friday. She was asked how that experience felt.
“It was almost emotional actually,” she said, her voice breaking. “If you were to tell me 10 years ago that I would do this, I wouldn’t have believed it.
“But I think it’s a great example of where we’ve come – not just in the RCMP, in law enforcement – in all aspects of society and all of our communities. And Alberta itself – how welcoming a province we are and how great the people are that we feel confident and comfortable having this event.”
Ryan said there is no better time to join the RCMP than now.
Edmonton’s Pride Festival kicks off today and tomorrow, the streets of Old Strathcona will be more colourful than ever.
“Flying the Pride flag is the RCMP’s way of telling Canadians that we are proud of being a diverse organization and believe in treating all communities equally and with respect,” Ryan said. “We want the LBGTQ community to know that there is a place for them within the RCMP if they are interested in applying.”
READ MORE: Pride history made at Edmonton military base
In 2013, CFB Edmonton became the first Canadian Forces base to raise the flag. Master Warrant Officer John McDougall, an openly gay Canadian Forces member, asked if the flag could be raised for the city’s pride week celebrations.
This year, CFB Moose Jaw, Sask. became the second base in Canada to raise a rainbow-coloured Pride flag.
In Ontario, the RCMP O Division is also making history by raising a Pride flag this year. For the first time, the flag will be raised in 14 RCMP public lobbies for the entire month of June.
The Alberta RCMP will take part in Saturday’s Pride Parade on Whyte Avenue. It’s the second time Alberta RCMP has taken part in the annual parade. They will also take part in Calgary’s Pride Parade this fall.
