Steinbach-area politicians will be no-shows at city's 1st Pride parade

Conservative MP Ted Falksayshe will notattend the first Pride Parade in Steinbach, Man.,in July and is asking event organizers to respect his decision.

"I've been clear on this issue many times, and have made my position public on my values of faith, family and community," the member of Parliament for Provencher, a mainly rural riding in the southeast corner of Manitoba,said in an emailedstatement Monday.

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"I will not be attending the Pride march taking place in Steinbach on July 9, nor do I intend to participate in any other events organized by this group.

"Just as I respect the right of people to participate in this event, I am hopeful the event organizers will be respectful of my choice, and the choice of many others, not to participate. Even without a scheduling conflict, my decision to not attend would be the same."

Human rights 'trump everything'

The statementdid not elaborate on the reasons Falk is notattending the city's first Pride parade. Some media reports said the MPwas planning to attend the annual Frog Follies Agricultural Fair in St.-Pierre-Joly instead.

But organizers of that event, held the same week as Steinbach's Pride parade, saypoliticians should skip itand go to the parade instead.

"The politician being talked about themost right now is TedFalkbecause he is the one who is attending our festival and is using that as a reason not to go to theSteinbachPride parade," saidMarie-Christine Bruce, president of Frog Follies.

Bruce said she wants people to attend the Frog Follies,butadded shealso recognizes the importance of the Pride parade.

"It's a historic event, it's for human rights, and human rights willtrumpeverything," Bruce said.

"This is the very first time thatSteinbachis having this kind of event, and it was definitely an uphill battle for organizers to put this inplace," Bruce said.

"In light of the recent tragic massacre in Orlando, we just can't ignore an important event like the very first Pride event in any municipality, any town, anywhere right now." Bruce said.

Pride organizers in Steinbach welcomed Bruce's stance.

"We greatly value the support from the Frog Follies, it's really a beautiful display of support," said MichelleMcHale, PridespokeswomaninSteinbach.

Mayor, MLA also not attending

SteinbachMayor Chris Goertzen and member of the legislature Kelvin Goertzenare not expected toattend the Pride event because of prior commitments.

McHalesaid the mayor told her he wouldwrite a letter of support for his city'sLGBT community, but as of this morning she had not received it.

"It will be interesting to see whatit's going to be," McHale said.

A CBC Newsrequest to the mayor's office for comment has not yet been returned.

KelvinGoertzen, theSteinbachMLA and health minister,won't be at the Pride event.

"The minister is unable to attend due to a previous personal commitment," says an emailfrom his office. A staff member in his office added the minister does not plan to attend the Frog Follies, either.

NDP, Liberal MLAs will be there

InterimNDP Leader Flor Marcelino is planning to attend Steinbach's Pride event. Her office saidshe has registered as a guest.

McHale attended question period at the Manitoba Legislature Monday afternoon, where Marcelinoexpressed her party's support for theLGBTcommunity.

"Thank you Michelle McHale and everyone involved in organizing Steinbach's first Pride parade, we've come a long way, but there's still much work to be done." Marcelino said.

"We have registered for Pride and we'll see you in Steinbach on July 9," she said as she waved to McHale in the gallery.

After question period, McHaletold reporters sheis stilldisappointedby the statement made byFalkabout how he won'tattend any events organized by the LGBTcommunity.

"First of all, I appreciate his honesty because that we can deal with, right? Aslong as we know, of course, it's disappointing," she said.

The Manitoba Liberals said their caucus will attend the event, which they call"a significant human rights milestone."

"The Liberal caucus along with [the] interim leader, party members and past candidates are looking forward to participating in celebration of this historical day," says a statement from the party.