Wortley Pride hoping for peaceful event this weekend

Wortley Pride’s history of protestors has the president voicing security concerns about this weekend’s event. CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell reports.

Wortley Pride president Kathy Bell and her wife Denise Copeland, also a Wortley Pride board member, took time Friday afternoon to stroll across the freshly painted Pride crosswalk at Wortley and Elmwood.

They’re getting set to spread their message of acceptance.

“When we had our very first Wortley Pride festival four years ago, there was a lot of protestors and a lot of violence took place here. So, this crosswalk signifies true self-authenticity, and the ability to be who you are, where you are, when you want to be,” explained Bell.

“I would just say, ‘you know what, don’t judge ‘till you know what we do, ‘till you see what we do,’ added Copeland. “We’re just getting together and showing love, and bringing out families, so they can just be together and have fun,” she said.

The fourth annual Wortley Pride festival goes this weekend, celebrating the Pride community and its allies.

The inaugural Wortley Pride was held in 2022, and every year since, it has been marred by protests, vandalism or violence.

Wortley resident George Cruickshank said villagers won’t tolerate such behaviour.

“We have no patience for that, for people who object and cause trouble,” said Cruickshank.

Many businesses have gone all-in on Pride festivities. Jessy Deroneth, at Quarter Master Natural Foods, says she’s all about promoting positivity.

“We can’t really focus on the negativity, so we try to foster positivity as best as we can. We try to just be involved in ways we can, to actually help peoples’ lives,” said Deroneth.

Bell says they’re taking safety precautions at this year’s event- something they’ve become accustomed to.

“And the protestors always come and attend. And we do expect them this year, but we have taken the necessary steps to make sure everyone is going to be safe. So, police will be present, and there will be also undercover, as well as in-person.”

Festivities begin Friday night with a drag show at the Delta Armouries in downtown London, followed by family events on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Green in Wortley.

“And I would say, once you set foot on the ground, you know you are safe, because we are here, we are queer, and we’re not going anywhere,” said Bell.