Pride 2012 is right around the corner, and that means it's time for a 10-day celebration of standing up, standing out, and standing proud.

A lot of people, even within our community, question the need for a pride parade. Some call it flaunting, some call it exhibitionist. Some call it outdated, saying that with the marriage and discrimination laws in Canada being updated to include equality for sexual orientation, we don't need this method of political expression anymore.

Pride is not just a political event though, at least not anymore. This year's STAND OUT theme fulfills the mission statement of the Edmonton Pride Festival Society, showcasing the unity and diversity of the LGBTQ community. Partnering with community groups, businesses, and other organizations, the EPFS shares the responsibility of ensuring the overall success of the capital region's Festival. This isn't to say that Pride isn't political at all anymore. As long as there is intolerance, homophobia, and bullying, as long as gay people and straight people have any differences before the law, as long as there are gay people being imprisoned, beaten, and killed in parts of the world, pride will have a political component.

I sat down with Warren Becker, one of the co-chairs for the EPFS, and we talked about Pride in Edmonton, where it;s been, where it is, and where it's going. As we perused the Pride Guide, now available in Vue Weekly and at key locations throughout the city, we talked about everything from the Parade and Celebration on the Square, through the wide variety of events occurring during the 10 day festival, to the incredible amount of volunteer hours and sponsor dollars needed to put on a Festival like this.

Pride in Edmonton has grown exponentially in the past decade, and Warren knows it will continue to do so. With the increased size of the festival comes increased expenses; some of the costs of Pride 2011 are broken down in this year's Pride Guide. These costs include insurance, permits, and licenses, road closures, Edmonton Transit Services, Edmonton Police Services, staging, sound, security, tenting... the list goes on! One of the more exciting expenses associated with this year's pride is the hiring of a Festival Manager. Yes, Edmonton Pride is now big enough that it requires a part-time employee, and the EPFS found an absolute angel in the person of Angela Bennett. She has been responsible for taking all the diverse energy and talents of the board and the volunteers and channelling it into something we will all enjoy.

Pride kicks off on Friday June 8 (although there's a couple awesome events the night before so don't miss out on A Touch of Goth and the Queens of Clubs). The Press Conference and Pride Awards are at 7pm at City Hall, and they set the tone for the week: one of celebration and education.

The parade is the next morning, Saturday June 9 right at noon, on 108 Street. This year's Honorary Parade Marshal is the Edmonton Public School Board, being recognized for their adoption of a new Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policy which ensures that all sexual and gender minority students, staff, and family are welcomed, respected, accepted and supported in every school.

The parade route follows 102 Avenue to Churchhill Square where the party of the year begins: the Celebration on the Square presented by TD. Premier Allison Redford is just on of the politicians that will welcome the crowds to this year's Celebration, but being a PC and the sitting Premier, this is a major milestone in the Province of Alberta! Entertainment this year includes the 5 AM Band, Kate Reid, Fake Moustache, Kim Kuzma, and Souljah Fyah, all coordinated and hosted by the incomparable Leah Way (click here for more on your host!) Donation bins to help offset the costs of Pride will be located around the Square, so toss in a toonie (or more). This year, the stage has relocated to the northeast part of the square, and there will be portapotties and a food vendor available, INSIDE the beer gardens. For a quieter enjoyment of the day, visit the Three Bananas Wine Bar on the south of the square. Be sure to check out the vendors located along 102 A Ave, and the food down 99 St!

Family is an important part of the Pride Festival and there are more events that are family friendly than the Celebration. Sunday June 10, head down to Oliver Community Hall for a no-charge pancake breakfast (Sponsored in part by Save-on Foods, Starbucks, and Buddys). Saturday June 16, head back to the Oliver Community Hall for an afternoon filled with fun for the whole family: balloon artists, bouncy castles, swimming, and more! Following this Family Picnic, head over to Oliver School for a casual baseball game hosted by Buddys.

Also Saturday June 16 is the Color Yourself Proud Community Dance at the Hellenic Hall. Everyone is welcome to this colorful conclusion to the week. For more details, click here.

Pride 2012 also includes such varied events as the BEEF Bear Bash at the Junction, Pure Pride dance party at the Starlight Room, church services, queer history bus tours, an open mic night, a movie night presenting BULLY, the annual Gay Edmonton Pageant, the Mayor's Brunch in support of Camp fYrefly, and Team Edmonton's Come Out and Play Day. Lesbian, gay, twink, jock, bear, queen, artist, comedian, spiritual, political, or anything else, Pride 2012 has something for you! For full event details, click here.

So grab yourself a copy of the Pride Guide, get down to the parade, and STAND OUT!