Steinbach MLA and Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen says he will not attend the second annual Pride parade in Steinbach this summer. Goertzen notes he was invited to attend through the media. He explains he is already booked to be in Kansas City that weekend. But Goertzen adds, even if he were here, he would still not attend.

"The reasons are really quite simple. I listened to the speeches last year. They were posted online. There were some very good speeches. In fact, I remember some young people from Steinbach speaking about the need to ensure that every community is safe. I agree with that and I support that. We need to ensure that every person in our community feels safe and feels accepted. But there were a lot of other speeches that happened at Steinbach Pride last year as well, both at the event and those that were leading up to the event. Those included politicians and former political candidates trying to shame individuals who didn't attend the event. I wouldn't attend any non-partisan event that spent so much time trying to shame people for not being there, whether that was an event for the Association of Manitoba Municipalities or any other kind of event. Pride is supposed to be about Pride and not shaming individuals. So I won't be attending and I hope the focus of this year's event is far less about trying to shame people than it was last year."

Goertzen would not commit to attending future Pride parades in Steinbach if the public shaming aspect is removed.

"Well I'd like to see that happen. Of course that's what we heard last year from the organizer of the event and then that wasn't the case. There was a significant focus on shaming individuals who didn't attend the event. One might have thought things would be different this year, but the organizer of the event has now asked for an apology from people who didn't attend last year. And, last year, I was celebrating my wedding anniversary with my wife and I was heavily criticized for doing that. I certainly won't be apologizing for celebrating my wedding anniversary with my wife and, clearly, there doesn't seem to be a change in how the event, from the organizer's perspective, is going to go this year. I wouldn't stand on a stage that criticized my colleagues or others and tried to shame them for not attending an event, whether that is Pride or any other event."

Goertzen says he has met with representatives from the gay and lesbian community over the past year in his role as Health Minister and has heard many thoughtful comments on how to ensure everyone in Manitoba is safe and cared for. He adds many members of the Progressive Conservative government attend Pride events but says the Steinbach event had quite a different tone.

Below is the full statement issued Tuesday by Goertzen:

Recently I was invited through the media to attend the Steinbach Pride Parade being planned for this summer.

I am in Kansas City, Missouri on the scheduled date of this year’s Pride.

However, even if I was available to attend, I would not.

Last year’s Steinbach Pride speeches, which I listened to in their entirety, contained many thoughtful comments about making all communities safe for all people. But in addition to these, there were many speeches by politicians and former political candidates that spent time criticizing those who did not attend the event. I wouldn’t stand on a stage at any non-partisan event that dedicated so much of its time to shaming individuals. Pride should be about pride, not shaming.

Over the past year I have met with individuals representing the gay and lesbian community in my role as Health Minister and heard thoughtful comments on how to ensure everyone in Manitoba is safe and cared for. I also offered to meet with the organizer of the Steinbach Pride Parade to have a similar discussion. The invitation was acknowledged but not pursued. I will continue to work for all Manitobans in a way that focuses on respecting individuals, not trying to shame them.