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The organizers of Vancouver’s Pride Parade face criticism from some corners for being too political, and from others for not being political enough.

This highlights the tricky line to walk for an event seeking to be both party and protest.

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Vancouver Pride Week, which every year involves hundreds of thousands of participants and celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, kicked off Monday with a launch event outside city hall. This year marks major milestones in the history of gay rights, and it also comes as the Vancouver Pride Society is drawing some criticism — and some praise — for taking political stances.

Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG

Earlier this month, the Pride Society first barred the University of British Columbia from participating in this Sunday’s parade, and then soon after, cancelled the Vancouver Public Library‘s participation. In both cases, the Pride organizers said the decision was motivated by the respective institutions providing platforms for events spreading messages the society deemed transphobic. UBC students and employees, as well as VPL workers, are still invited to march, but not under the banners of their respective institutions.