New Halifax Pride chair says he's committed to dialogue over group's future

The new chair of Halifax Pride says he's committed to opening dialogue on the future of the organization, including addressing divisive issues that have come up in recent months.

Morgan Manzer was elected chair of Halifax Pride at a board meeting Wednesday night.

Manzer told CBC's Information Morning that despite growing tensions within the organization, especially at its last annual general meeting, Halifax Pride can become stronger by addressing those issues. 

"Pride is changing, and growing rapidly," he said. "So dissenting views about Pride help keep us accountable, it helps keep progress going forward, and it helps better serve our community."

More inclusive pride

Critics of Halifax Pride say the organization has not done enough to ensure diverse voices are heard and represented in the organization. Manzer said he sympathizes with those concerns.

"As a person of colour myself, I understand some of the concerns that our community has raised," he said.

He said Pride has allocated funds to create spaces for members of the queer black, Indigenous, and people of colour community, and is working on an internal dispute resolution process that could be used in the future.

Manzer also said the organization is committed to collaborating with the community on a review of bylaws and policies, with the goal of making them more inclusive. 

Corporatization of Pride

Pride organizations across the country are debating their identities as organizations, especially with regard to the sponsorship of Pride parades by large corporations and the presence of police at those parades.

Some people in Nova Scotia share those concerns, including Raven Davis, who is Indigenous and a member of the queer community. Davis said not everyone feels comfortable in the presence of police.

"There is tonnes of reasons why police and military do not have a place in queer spaces, in our pride parades and events," Davis said.  

"This is a discussion that is being really taken seriously, voices are being heard in other parts of the country, and we're not even able to get to that table to talk about that here."

But Manzer said those concerns and other issues will be addressed a national conference of Canadian Pride organizers, which will be held in Halifax in February. 

"As part of that [conference] we want to start a national dialogue with respect to those issues."

'It makes us better'

Manzer said as chair, he's committed to hearing all perspectives on the questions that will shape Halifax Pride's future.

"We represent a very diverse community, and people are going to have varying views, and we think that we are truly better together. 

"It makes us better when we can hear all of those voices."