The annual Charlotte County Pride Walk took place in St. George over the weekend. It was the first time St. George played host to the walk, and it drew one of the largest groups of participants in its four-year history with over 70 people walking from the St. George Mall through downtown and ending the walk at Eagles Nest Picnic Area.

Tracey Matheson, the Vice President of Charlotte County Pride, addressed the crowd at the picnic area after the walk. 

"I really want you to know this is amazing. I am so thankful and happy that everyone is here. It's so important to walk," said Matheson. "I've been asked, Why the walk?' Well, today and every time there's a pride walk, we're walking to honor those who have walked before us to help fight for our rights to be able to marry, to have children, to love, but today we walk for our young people, for the future. We need to work as a community so that our kids feel safe and secure, so that everyone feels included and accepted."

"We had something amazing today: We had a church support us they were out there walking--cheering for us, but we still have a long way to go. We have to work together. There are so many issues that we face as a community such as conversion therapy and the effects that it had on our people. There are people like me who were terrified to live our life openly. I came out at 48. I lived a lie my entire life because I was scared to be who I am. I'm looking at all these beautiful young people who are here, and I don't want that life for them."

Also in attendance at the walk were Mayor of St. George John Detorakis, Deputy Mayor Barb Rayner, MLA for St. Croix Kathy Bockus and Liberal Party leader candidate Robert Gauvin.