Just below the surface of the fun during Pride Week B次元官网网址� from a drag baseball game to a parade to a comedy night B次元官网网址� will be a very serious message.

Pride 2012 is a week of celebration and pride, helping empower Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, as well as generating support for full human rights.

The festivities kick off tomorrow (June 30) with an art walk, parties, a potluck barbecue picnic and a show at Belfry Theatre. More public events are planned for every day of the week, wrapping up with the Victoria Pride Parade and Festival on July 8.

B次元官网网址淧eople tend to listen if itB次元官网网址檚 interesting,B次元官网网址� said Laurissa Chapple, spokesperson for the Victoria Pride Society. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the reality.B次元官网网址�

The society organizes many of the Pride events, including the parade B次元官网网址� a homegrown, moving ribbon of 100 entrants. Starting at noon, the procession travels down Government Street from Pandora Avenue, eventually winding up at MacDonald Park in James Bay.

Though there have been significant advancements in gay rights over the years in Canada, efforts must continue, Chapple said. People are still fearful of being open about their personal lives, even holding hands with their partner in public. B次元官网网址淗ow often do you hear a woman introduce her wife?B次元官网网址� the Victoria resident said.

The gay community is the largest minority demographic in the world, and includes people of all genders, religions, ethnicities and ages, Chapple said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not segregated by any one particular thing. ItB次元官网网址檚 how a person loves. ItB次元官网网址檚 unrestricted and undefined. ItB次元官网网址檚 an individualB次元官网网址檚 ability to love another person.B次元官网网址�

For a full event schedule, visit .

emccracken@vicnews.com