Pride march in Steinbach, Man., postponed on weekend after organizers received safety threats

Steinbach congratulate postponed its process planned for  sabbatum after organizers say they received serious threats that could feature position attendees' safety at risk.

Manitoba Pride Alliance said in a statement posted to social media on Saturday that organizers of the parade in the southeastern Manitoba city were forced to cancel the event "due to credible safety threats connected to far-right extremism."

Steinbach Pride's board received tips through "word of mouth" that individuals had made verbal threats against the Pride event in "retaliation" for the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, a right-wing political influencer, in Utah earlier this week, according to board president Chris Plett.

He said the local Pride threats were vague, but suggested a connection to Kirk's killing. It wasn't clear if the people who made the threats intended to disrupt the event or escalate to violence, he said.

Plett said protesters often disrupt Pride events and there have been threats in the past, but with the latest threats, "it didn't really sound as if that would be where it would end," and there were fears it could "easily escalate into something more." 

"We really push for a family-friendly event and for a family-safe event.… Everybody is showing up for these events, and we need to keep it safe for everybody," Plett said.

"With the information that we had, we couldn't guarantee that that would happen and safety is our number 1 priority."

Steinbach Pride has contacted the RCMP over the threats, said Plett.

Plett said Steinbach Pride's board decided to postpone the event on Friday night, posting the news to social media shortly after. On Saturday, organizers went to K.R. Barkman Park to turn away any attendees who hadn't seen the postponement news online.  

Trevor Kirczenow, who was supposed to speak and perform a violin rendition of Chappell Roan's hit Pink Pony Club alongside his partner on Saturday, said he was excited to attend Pride but trusts that organizers made the right call. 

"I think Steinbach needs more safe spaces and events for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. It's really disappointing that this one had to be postponed or cancelled," he said. 

He said Steinbach Pride offers a crucial safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ people in southeastern Manitoba, especially for those who face mental health struggles — something 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians are more likely to grapple with, according to Statistics Canada.  

"It's just so important for 2SLGBTQ people to know that they're not alone and to know that we do have support. It's life-saving to have community events," Kirczenow said, adding that future Pride events may require additional safety planning after the recent threats. 

"We can't give up. We can't stop coming together as a community," he said.

Pride organizers from across the province shared messages of support with Steinbach Pride on Saturday, urging Manitobans to stand with 2SLGBTQ+ community members. 

"We stand in unwavering solidarity with Steinbach Pride, and all those who worked tirelessly to create a safe and affirming space," Manitoba Pride Alliance said in a statement. "Hate has no place in Steinbach, in Manitoba, or anywhere in Canada." 

Pride Winnipeg also posted a statement to Facebook. 

"No one should have to pause Pride out of fear. You are not alone, we will rise together against hate and for love, safety, and equality of all," it said.

Plett said while he's disappointed this year's celebration had to be postponed, Steinbach Pride will continue to be an outlet for people to "be their true, authentic self."

"Steinbach Pride is all about the celebration of who we are as individuals and everybody on the entire spectrum," he said. 

Tyler Hoard, who is from the LUD of Mitchell, located about three kilometres west of Steinbach, said they were planning to attend Saturday's march, but when they found out it was cancelled still decided to show up in Steinbach to show support for Steinbach Pride. 

"We came here under the impression that this is going to happen today, and then we got the notice that it's been cancelled or postponed, so that's very disappointing," Hoard said. "But at least we showed up, we wanted to at least show some sort of support that despite everything happening we're still here, we're still standing, we're still fighting."

Hoard added they were happy to see Steinbach Pride take the safety threats as seriously as they did. 

Despite the cancellation of Saturday's march, Hoard said those who live in and around Steinbach will continue to support Steinbach Pride and continue to fight for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people who live in southern Manitoba.  

"Just like anyone else we need our rights," Hoard said. "We have to stick together, it's the only way to get through these hard times."

---

---