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Some two hundred people marched down West Pender Street this afternoon (August 1) in the hope of creating a space for members of Vancouver's LGBT community who might not have felt comfortable marching in the city's much larger, annual parade that happened in the West End the day before.

In an interview at Victory Square Park just before the march set off, one of the event's organizers, Imtiaz Popat, explained the Two Spirit Queers, Trans, Intersexed, and Bisexual People of Colour Pride March, or 2SQTIBIPOC Pride for short, was simply about making an alternative safe space.

"With all the controversy, all the racist backlash post-Orlando, post-Black Lives Matter's demand to not have police there [at the Vancouver Pride parade], and the reaction on social media, I just didn't feel like being at the parade," he said. "And I wasn't the only one. Many people feel the same way."

Popat stressed that the group who met in Victory Square Park wasn't taking a hardline position against the Vancouver Pride Parade, and was not even suggesting that people should not participate in that event.

"We wanted a space where we feel comfortable, welcome, and where there is no animosity," he continued. "And this way, people can be part of all the other pride events and then also come here for our own event where we feel safe."

The 2SQTIBIPOC Pride March began with a healing circle in Victory Square Park. Travis Lupick

The march, which numbered between 200 and 300 people at some points, began at Cambie and West Pender streets, moved east from there, and ended in Crab Park.

Michelle Fortin was another organizer helping with the event. She similarly told the Straight that the 2SQTIBIPOC Pride March wasn't aiming to compete with the West End parade.

"Pride weekend, I marshaled at the trans march, I volunteered at the dyke march, I walked in the Pride parade, and I'm here today," she said.

"I wanted to participate because I think it's important that we recognize and have safer spaces for everyone," Fortin continued. "And people of colour and indigenous folks and other folks from vulnerable populations still experience oppression. So as someone who comes from a lot of privilege, I think it's important that I stand up and take action."