WATCH: ‘We deserve to be treated as human beings’; Pride Week underway

Fahmy Baharuddin came to Canada from Malaysia eight years ago as a student.

He was 22 at the time and Pride festivities had take over Vancouver. Curious, he trepidatiously took part. He grew up in a country that chastises that behaviour and was unsure what would happen.

And while he does say it was uncomfortable at first, as he'd never seen so many gay people gathering openly, his worries quickly faded away.

“Being in a space that allowed you to be who you are, having no legal repercussions, not being punished for being gay or having a boyfriend made me realize that there was so much more that I could do as a person,” Baharuddin said. “Back where I’m from, there’s no legal protections, societal protections, and we found little pockets of community here and there. If you were found out to be gay, then you could be punished for it.”

Baharuddin moved to the Okanagan four years ago and has since been involved with the Kelowna Pride Society (KPS), looking to help those who have had journeys like his. He recently took on the role of KPS president.

“Where I’m from, what is not accepting of queerness really drove my need to be really engaged in the queer community knowing where the lack of queer representation is,” he said. “I really took time to want to help other queer folks who have similar stories and similar experiences.”

After two years of minimalized events, the KPS is ready for an explosion of celebration.

Hundreds of people are expected to turn up between Stuart and City Park on Saturday for the Kelowna Pride March and Festival.

Baharuddin said early feedback shows the community is excited a proper Pride Week will be observed.

“The responses we’ve been getting just on social media, and emails, people are very excited,” he said. “We can see that happening already, so, we’re just excited to see it all come together during pride week.”

Baharuddin said it’s still important to celebrate Pride because it acts as a symbolic reminder of equality for everyone.

“Pride came from the need to say to the public hat we exist, that we deserve to be treated as human beings, that we deserve the same rights that you have for being non-queer,” he said. “I think it’s important for us to act like a beacon of hope for other places who aren’t able to celebrate, and for those other queer folks who are not in this country.”

A full list of events can be found of the KPS website.