Safety concerns for Steinbach Pride March this summer

WINNIPEG — Organizers of the first Steinbach Pride March are weighing safety concerns ahead of the July 9 event date.

“We’ve heard concerns from people that there might be safety risks. We’ve definitely seen a presence on social media that people are planning to protest,” said Michelle McHale with Steinbach Pride.

McHale said she asked RCMP Monday morning to have Mounties attend the march and they agreed.

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Several Facebook posts have popped up since the parade was announced, condemning the LGBTQ community.

Part of one post read “If they can walk down the street preaching about their sex choices then I’ll be preaching about Jesus,” while another read, “The Bible consistently tells us that homosexual activity is a sin.”

“In a situation like that you just have to make sure that you plan for the worst and hope for the best,” McHale said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "In a situation like that you just have to make sure that you plan for the worst and hope for the best," McHale said.

A Steinbach business owner who has worked in the community for 30 years said he supports haveing the March, “You have to try to move ahead and get more acceptance and I think is just one step.”

McHale acknowledged some people in Steinbach have strong opinions but believes times are changing, “Society needs to be more accepting of that.”

The March is scheduled to begin at a church on Main Street and end with a rally at City Hall.