In recognition of their ongoing work with Vancouver Pride Society, LET’S’ Executive Director was honoured with the role of Grand Marshal of the Vancouver Pride Parade. Heather, and LET’S, has been working with Vancouver Pride Society since 2019. They did accessibility audits of all events. Based on their recommendations, Vancouver Pride Society, in 2023, changed the route of the parade and the festival location. It is a big win for LET’S, Heather, and the disability/neurodivergent community.
Heather was honoured to be Grand Marshal. The Vancouver Pride Society provides the Grand Marshal with 3 vehicles for themselves and whoever they invite. While the vehicles are typically convertibles, Heather requested a pick-up truck. Heather wanted to match their butch energy plus they needed room for their walker. Heather then assigned 1 car to Harmony Bongat, who has been an integral part of the accessibility team for this project, and Kaschelle Theissen, who was the person at Vancouver Pride Society who advocated for change and who hired Heather.
Heather was joined in their truck with board member Rebekah Mahaffey and her son (he’s 7). It was a great experience made all the better by sharing it with Rebekah, who’s long been a supporter of LET’S.