So when you tie on your rainbow bandana for the Victoria Pride Parade, take a moment to reflect. We also live in a country where our Prime Minster and his family proudly marched in Toronto's Pride Parade. We live in a country where many of the elders in our community have criminal records for being homosexual, where there is still a fight for the right to pee, and where queer and trans youth are kicked out of their homes. In Lethbridge, the night before the pride parade, a group of University of Lethbridge Pronghorn athletes stayed up all night, camped out on the street and stood guard to make sure that the rainbow and trans pride crosswalks weren't defaced before the parade. Pride can bring together communities, inspire conversation and is a catalyst for change. In Lethbridge, Alberta, where I studied theatre at the U of L, the city's rainbow flag crosswalk and trans pride flag crosswalk (the first in Canada) were vandalized repeatedly, smeared with tar and manure. We wave our rainbow flags proudly in Victoria, but in many cities and towns across Canada there is rampant homophobia, transphobia, and acceptance is slow-moving. It is also a time of reflection - to see how far we have come in acceptance and equality and a reminder of how much work is still ahead of us. Pride is a celebration of community, of queer life, queer culture and of our allies and families - those we were born into and those we have chosen. The festival has a food court, beer garden, vendors, a kid’s camp and two stages with a variety of entertainment from drag to burlesque and live music.įind more on Victoria Pride Week events here. Macdonald Park will fill with thousands of people to commemorate the end of Pride Week with a giant community celebration. Insider tip: grab your spot on the parade route early to get the best view, then follow the parade to James Bay for a massive party in the park. and winds its way down Government Street to James Bay. Watch over 100 floats and thousands of participants of all ages decked out in glittery outfits and some hot choreography in The Pride Parade as it winds its way from downtown to MacDonald Park, where the Pride Festival kicks off with vendors and live entertainment. Each year it showcases the proudest and most talented writers from Victoria and beyond. Pride in the Word is one of Canada’s largest Pride festival literary events. July 6 | 6:30 | Ambrosia Conference Centre Show your colours and come celebrate at Night Shift at the Royal BC Museum, an event supporting Victoria Pride Week! Learn about the history of pride, enjoy a drink with your friends and dance the night away! Allies are welcome. And yes, you are welcome even if you don’t have a doggie companion of your own.
Gather and mingle with your furry friends! Join us on a big gay group dog walk, play some games, show off your style and check out the latest gear.
| Fairmont Empress HotelĪ panel discussion presented by Pride at Work Canada and the Victoria Pride Society to define what knowledge and behaviours make employers effective allies to LGBTQ2* employees See Kings and Queens battle it out on a baseball diamond in moustaches and heels! Bring a picnic and take in the bedazzled entertainment starting at noon on July 1 at the Vic West Ballpark. The night will finish off with a variety show of both youth and seasoned performers.
LGBTG2* and ally youth 18 and under are invited to come be part of this free event featuring music, food, beverages, crafts, a Drag Makeup Workshop and more.
| Fairfield Gonzales Community Association As always, the Victoria Pride Society has so much to enjoy - hence this handy-dandy “Guide to Pride 2019”! Here are a few free highlights the Victoria Pride Society hosts during Pride Week: Youth Pride Kick-Off Party Pride month is almost here and Victoria's Pride Week takes place from June 30 to July 7. VICTORIA PRIDE WEEK: YOUR GUIDE TO PRIDE 2019