One leg of the La Loche pride parade march. Photo submitted by Ashton Lemaigre.
On the weekend, tears were shed at La Loche’s first-ever pride festivities as attendees honoured an openly gay community member who recently committed suicide.
Shawn Herman died only three days before the Saturday pride festivities, which included a parade through the village and lake-side barbecue. After the parade, organizer and family friend Ashley Lemaigre said the group gathered in a circle and held a moment of silence for Herman.
“He was one of us. He was one of the nicest gay people around here who brought joy to everybody,” Lemaigre told MBC.
He added that Herman’s mom gave an emotional speech about how she knew since Herman was young that he was gay and “talked to him, saying stuff like ‘it’s okay of who you are and I will accept you no matter what because you are my son.’”
Ashley’s brother Ashton is also openly gay. Ashton told MBC he came to terms with his identity as a teenager, but said it was initially hard to come out.
“I felt that I would have to tell my parents first because your parents would have to be the main supporters for you to feel comfortable, for you to feel loved,” he said.
“I just had the courage to come out, and life is much better that way. It’s not worth hiding. It’s not worth hiding who you really are because it’s just going to make you, I believe, it’s going to make you a more depressed person.”
An RCMP escorts the La Loche pride parade. Photo submitted by Ashton Lemaigre.
Ashley and his boyfriend hastily pulled together the pride parade and barbecue within about a week, drawing inspiration after attending Saskatoon’s pride parade the year prior.
“I just wanted to make everyone feel okay, especially the young people who aren’t ready to go out, especially in this community. I just know there’s a lot of people out there who want to feel more comfortable about themselves,” Ashley said.
Both Ashley and Ashton say the turnout of 60 or so people for the parade and more than 100 for the barbecue was more than they’d expected, especially since everything went so smoothly. Donations poured in from across all sectors of La Loche, while the RCMP and an ambulance escorted the flag-waving, banner-carrying group during their parade through the village.
“The community showed such an amazing support system for everyone. It was really awesome” Ashton said.
While leadership from the village did not directly plan the event, a number of councillors marched in the parade.
Now, the Lemaigres say they want to make the pride parade an annual event in La Loche.
Videos of the parade and barbecue can be viewed here.
EDITOR’S NOTE: MBC has received permission from Shawn Herman’s family to use his name.