VPL’s Statement - Vancouver Pride Parade 2019

At the request of the Vancouver Pride Society, the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) will not have an organizational presence at the Pride Parade in 2019. While we are disappointed about this decision, we appreciate that Library staff and partners are still welcome to participate as members and allies of the LGBTQ2+ community, as they have been doing for decades.

As a public institution, VPL is committed to providing a venue where diverse ideas and opinions can be shared and discussed. We feel that it is through exposure to different ideas and opinions that society can make informed choices about their core beliefs.

We acknowledge that this value has led to concerns related to our room rental policies and has caused a loss of trust for some in the LGBTQ2+ community. We hope to regain that trust as we continue our longstanding commitment to promoting dialogue and raising marginalized voices through our programs and services. VPL actively works to reduce discrimination and to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ2+ people.

Vancouver Pride Society is asking the Library to go beyond the law and rely on their interpretation of what is legally permitted speech in Canada. The limits on freedom of expression must be decided by the legal system, not the Library. 

We value and support our queer and transgender staff as part of the Library, and are proud of the work they do. We hope to march as an organization again next year, celebrating our queer, transgender, and Two-Spirit staff, Board, and community members, and continuing our commitment to LGBTQ2+ equality.