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Proclamations are typically a mundane part of Estevan city council meetings.

They’re routine and predictable. They typically happen at the same time of the year, just like clockwork. And the content is almost always the same, with the only changes being the dates or the year.

Occasionally, you get one that’s relevant and unique, such as the one earlier this year for the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup, but originality is not a strong suit of most proclamations.

The recent meeting of Estevan city council included a proclamation that was historical. And it represents a step forward for the city.

Mayor Roy Ludwig proclaimed the week of June 26 to July 2 as LGBTQ Pride Week in Estevan – the first time that such a week has been proclaimed in this city.

The Rainbow Flag was hanging at City Hall. And on June 27, there was a rally next to the Estevan Courthouse with a lot of people in attendance. It served as a kickoff for Pride Week activities in the Energy City.

It’s remarkable to see how much people’s attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender diversity have changed over the last 15 years, not just in Estevan but across the country. When gay marriage became legal more than a decade ago, there was still strong opposition to it.

Now, a strong majority of Canadians support gay marriage. Those who hoped that it would be outlawed again when the Conservatives formed government in 2006 were sadly disappointed. It didn’t lead to a decay in morals, and now it’s legal in a growing number of countries, including the U.S.

Of course, the LGBTQ communities fight for rights and equality extended beyond marriage. They want the same rights as everyone else, and while there has been progress, there remains a lot of discrimination on a lot of fronts.

The lack of anger in response to Pride Week in Estevan should also be viewed as a positive. A decade ago, if such a week were to have been observed in the city, there would have been an outcry. There would have been angry letters sent to council and the papers.

Nobody complained when Pride Week was proclaimed, at least not publicly. Nobody shouted homophobic slurs at the people who attended the rally earlier this week. There wasn’t a protest across the street from the rally.

The rally was a good event with members of the LGBTQ communities and their allies. There were speeches with messages of love, support and acceptance. 

We look forward to seeing greater tolerance and acceptance of all people in Estevan and area, regardless of gender, race, nationality, religious belief, sexual orientation and any other factor. And hopefully Pride Week will become an annual celebration in Estevan, with support coming from all groups in the city.