This week is Pride Week in Courtenay, and considering the state of affairs in the world these days, the message of love, acceptance and embracing diversity could not be more timely.

In one way, it鈥檚 encouraging to see that as a society, we are beginning to understand that everyone is unique, in some form or another.

On the other hand, it鈥檚 sad to think that awareness campaigns such as Pride Week, and other initiatives set forth by LGBTQ communities worldwide are even necessary. But they are.

One of the most common misinformed arguments we hear from opponents to such initiatives as Pride Week is: 鈥淲hy don鈥檛 we have a Heterosexual Pride Week?鈥�

The answer is simple: we don鈥檛 need one. Heterosexuals are not persecuted for the simple reason of loving someone that someone else deems inappropriate.

Heterosexuals don鈥檛 have to be frightened about walking down the street, hand in hand. Heterosexuals don鈥檛 have to constantly look over their shoulders, concerned abut whether they are going to be the next victim of a hate crime, because of their sexual orientation.

There was a time, not too long ago, when the LGBTQ community could look at the societal progress made toward racism and think, 鈥渢here will come a day鈥︹��

Sadly, even that concept has taken a giant leap backward these days. We needn鈥檛 look any further than the Charlottesville incident, and others since, to see how much hatred there is in this world. It鈥檚 like we are in a time warp, regressing to the ignorance of the masses of yesteryear.

We could all take a lesson from the Canadian Football League, and its incredibly well-timed 鈥淒iversity is Strength鈥� campaign hitting the airwaves and being promoted at games this season.

(The promotion was originally slated for the fall, but the league fast-tracked the campaign after the violence in Charlottesville.)

Diversity is indeed strength; whether it is referring to skin colour, religious denomination, or sexual orientation. We, as a species, should embrace our diversity. And, not just this week; but perhaps for many of us, starting this week, let鈥檚 be tolerant of others - as we would want them to be tolerant of us.

Hopefully there comes a time when the need for Pride Week no longer exists. We are certain most members of the LGBTQ community wish that same thing, nearly every day.

鈥揟erry Farrell