Pride Flags (Theodore Ramharack, XFM News)
Over the weekend, Wortley Pride celebrated the strength of London’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Owen has volunteered for Wortley Pride for three years and has noticed a positive change this year. “There are more vendors and more people,” he said. “I’m glad to make new friends, and I love seeing all the kids running around on the grass.”
President Kathey Bell emphasized that Wortley Pride is a family-friendly event that aims to represent all members of the community.
“It was a beautiful day for everyone to come together,” said Suki, a vendor at the event. “The weather was perfect.”
The event featured more than 30 vendors. Kristia Duvall, co-lead of PFLAG London and Trans London, highlighted the importance of donations for their programs. “It’s been a steady day with gorgeous weather,” she said. “Everyone is happy and excited to be here. This year, we’ve had very few protesters, which is a relief.”
Duvall’s organization offers support and recreational programs, including a Queer Food Bank, which provides monthly hampers to community members in need. “We also focus on education and advocacy,” she added.
Vendors at Wortley Pride 2025 (Theodore Ramharack/XFM News)
For Scott, this was his first time as a vendor. “My company, Odessa Theatre, is promoting our upcoming production of Shakespeare’s Oz—a mashup of The Wizard of Oz in the style of Shakespeare,” he said. “We’re partnering with Wortley Pride, and it’s a natural fit given the queer
history of The Wizard of Oz.”
Scott also spoke on the importance of representation. “Celebrating diversity is vital. Everyone’s lived experiences matter, and it’s important to come together to respect and celebrate who we are. That’s what Canada is all about.”
Mystique, another attendee, reflected on the protests at the start of the event. “There was a small protest earlier, but counter-protesters with drums drowned them out. It was peaceful,” she said. “I’ve been to Pride for years, and this event really means a lot, especially after last year’s challenges.”
Saidat Vandenberg, a board member of Wortley Pride, shared the effort involved in organizing the event. “Planning takes months,” Vandenberg said. “We all bring something unique to the table to make this happen.”
Despite the challenges in the world, Vandenberg believes in the power of love. “There’s a lot of hate out there, but love always wins. This year’s theme is about being together and building community. We’re stronger when we work together.”
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Music band OTK (Theodore Ramharack/XFM News)
