Carney laments Pride ‘backlash’ and rolls out money to make 2SLGBTQ+ parades safer [Video]

Prime Minister Mark Carney raised a Pride flag on Parliament Hill Tuesday to kick off a month-long celebration of sexual and gender diversity while saying there’s a brewing “backlash” to these sorts of celebrations and federal money is needed to help make 2SLGBTQ+ parades safe this year.

Speaking to a couple hundred MPs, senators, political staffers, community activists and others gathered on Parliament Hill for the occasion, Carney said there’s been progress in the struggle for equal rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people but the community is still in a sometimes “precarious” position.

“One of the strengths of Canada is recognizing that people can be who they want to be and love who they want to love. The federal government — we are the defenders of those rights,” Carney said.

“Unfortunately, around the world, there’s a backlash struggling against the progress that has been made. In this time, …