STEINBACH, Man. — A steady stream of marchers walked a section of Main Street in Steinbach on Saturday as the southeastern Manitoba city held its annual Pride festival a year after organisers postponed the event amid credible safety threats.
Security stepped up after threats
The local Pride board introduced a formal security council this year, a change intended to ensure public safety and forestall a repeat of the disruption that led to last year’s cancellation. The decision came after organisers said their 2025 event was halted "due to credible safety threats connected to far-right extremism," according to a provincial Pride body statement posted last September.
"I think it's really good because we can show them that we're not scared and we're not going to go and hide just because they want to threaten us,"
The comment, from a local attendee, captured the tenor of the afternoon: cautious determination. Attendees included members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies from across the region, many of whom said they attended to show solidarity and to reclaim public space.
A community response
Chris Plett, identified by organisers as the Pride board president, told reporters the new security council is meant to make future events safer and prevent disruption. Organisers did not disclose operational security details but said the council will help plan and oversee measures for gatherings organised by Steinbach Pride.
Residents interviewed at the event said the decision to return this year was not taken lightly. For some, the public march was a response to intimidation, an assertion of visibility in a city that has at times been characterised as socially conservative.
What organisers changed
Organisers pointed to two central shifts in approach:
- Establishment of a dedicated security council to co-ordinate safety planning.
- Heightened emphasis on contingency planning and communication with partners.
Those steps are intended to reassure participants, volunteers and families who attend the festival’s events.
| Year | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Last year | Event postponed after credible safety threats |
| This year | Festival proceeded with new security council in place |
Voices from the crowd
Several attendees described a mix of relief and resolve. For many, returning to publicly celebrate Pride in Steinbach is a statement that community members will not be driven from civic life by threats or harassment. Others said visible, well-planned safety measures made them feel more comfortable attending.
Organisers and participants emphasised the importance of community supports and of visible allyship from neighbours and local groups. While the congregation was peaceful, the underlying concern about safety remained a topic of quiet conversation among some marchers.
Regional significance
Steinbach’s Pride holds symbolic value beyond municipal boundaries. Southeastern Manitoba communities often have fewer large-scale public Pride events than urban centres, making each festival an important opportunity for connection and visibility for 2SLGBTQ+ people from smaller towns.
How local organisers balance visibility with safety will be watched by other Prairie communities where similar tensions have emerged. The establishment of a security council in Steinbach may become a model for grassroots groups seeking to hold public events in the face of threats.
Looking ahead
Organisers said they plan to continue hosting events and to refine safety planning as needed. The priority for this year’s festival was to ensure participants could gather without fear and to assert a clear message of presence and community support in Steinbach.
The return of the march is the latest instance of Pride events across Canada adapting to safety concerns while maintaining public celebration and advocacy for 2SLGBTQ+ rights.
Coverage note: Reporting relied on statements from event attendees and organisers, and on a provincial Pride Alliance statement released last September regarding the prior year’s postponement.
