MEDICINE HAT, AB — Members of the LGBTQ + community gathered this weekend at the Medicine Hat Pride Festival.
A group of people attending the event used the words happiness, expression, freedom, family, and equality to describe what the day meant to them.
For Karen LaHey those words have a deeper meaning.
Around a year ago, she started her journey of transitioning from a man to a woman.
LaHey is a member of the Medicine Hat Pride Board and she wants to promote inclusivity at the event.
“Regardless of your gender or gender identity or sexual orientation, we are all human. We are all a part of this community. So let us all interact the same and be respectful with each other,” said LaHey.
The community may have more support nowadays but LaHey’s 58 year journey hasn’t been easy.
LaHey says she’s survived mental and physical abuse over the years while battling with suicidal thoughts.
Although things haven’t been easy LaHey remains positive moving forward.
“But I’m still here. I’ve survived and I am proud to be what I’ve become,” said LaHey. “I’m going to push forward to complete my journey and hopefully that will be done within the next year.”
LaHey admits that’s she has received lots of attention from the public.
She didn’t expect to become a star in the community and now she just finally feels comfortable in her body.
“I’m just being me. I’m not trying to be overly flaunting or rub peoples noses in gender diversity or anything,” said LaHey. “I’m just being me.”
Lahey says that we are all a part of the same community.
Members of the LGBTQ + community are just trying to be themselves and all LaHey asks for is respect.
