However, the shift online has presented new opportunities for the organization. One of the events that Daly was looking forward to was a “queer prom” that was set to take place at the Empress Hotel this summer. “Basically we’ve been trying to organize a bunch of digital events in lieu of all of our in-person events which we had to cancel,” said Scott Daly, communications coordinator for the Victoria Pride Society.
#Vancouver gay pride week full#
And we are confident that this year will be no different.”įor a full list of events, in-person and virtual, visit CapitalPride.The Victoria Pride Society is moving its annual Pride Week online this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to restrict large gatherings.Īccording to the pride society, while the shift online has led to some unexpected benefits, there is also disappointment for the loss of in-person events that had to be cancelled. “Many folks within our community are looking for support and guidance,” says Maynes “And with that being said, pride celebrations have always been a place of love, allyship, and compassion. In March 2021, homophobic graffiti was painted on the road outside Watson's home, drawing widespread condemnation for the act and support for the mayor, including from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
![vancouver gay pride week vancouver gay pride week](https://604now.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/pride-parade-1280x720.jpg)
Ottawa mayor Jim Watson raises the Progress Pride Flag at Ottawa City Hall. “And we continuously have to fight that quite frankly because you look at some places around the world where people can be killed because they’re gay.” Well there’s still homophobia, transphobia, there are still slurs that are written on driveways or on walls,” says Watson. “One of the challenges we face is that there’s still people who say the gay community has all its rights.
![vancouver gay pride week vancouver gay pride week](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/D7PK8R/womens-lib-at-gay-pride-festival-and-parade-vancouver-canada-D7PK8R.jpg)
Helping raise the flag this year, as he has in the past, was Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.
![vancouver gay pride week vancouver gay pride week](https://biv.com/sites/default/files/styles/facebook/public/2021-07/pride-flag-thor-diakow.jpg)
The annual Capital Pride Virtual Parade is happening on Sunday at 2 p.m. Some of them include things like Virtual Drag Bingo, a Virtual Drag Beauty Pageant, and Queer Acoustic Soul concert and to cap things off. Some of the in-person events taking place this week are a Four Fires Vigil at the Human Rights Memorial Monday night, and the TD Bank Spectacular Festival on Sunday at Lansdowne Park.Īnd there is no shortage of virtual events, either. We want to make sure that folks feel comfortable and choose what events they want to participate in.” “We’re having a hybrid version of the festival, both virtual and in-person. We are able express and live our truth,” says Maynes. Osmel Guerra Maynes is the executive director of Capital Pride and says this year might be different because of the pandemic, but it will be exciting none the less. It’s also a week of special events celebrating the entire 2SLGBTQ+ community. It makes them feel like a larger community.” “When people come out to pride, no matter how they identify, it makes them happy. “This is a week where we share who we are, what we’ve fought for, where we’ve come, and where we need to go, with the entire city,” says McKenney. Many Ottawa councillors were in attendance for the event, including Catherine McKenney, who is trans/non-binary. Monday marks the start of Capital Pride week in Ottawa and to kick things off, the annual pride flag raising ceremony took place at Ottawa City Hall at noon.