One group spoke to the way stigmas that were once outright and offensive towards Queer folks are now hidden under the surface of conversations and interactions. Many alluded to stigmas that exist within the community, noting that a white, cis-gendered, misogynistic narrative is often problematic. Towards the end of the day, I took the opportunity to speak to other vendors and festival attendees about stigma in the Queer community.Īsking about what stigmas exist and persist for the LGBTQ+ community, most people were overwhelmed. Some of the suggestions included self-love, readiness to learn, education, and awareness. We asked passers-by to contribute to a community conceptualization on “What a Stigma-Free Zone means to you,” which was met with creativity and enthusiasm by individuals of all ages eagerly brandishing rainbow markers. Stigma-Free was among a wonderfully diverse and eclectic range of vendors, including health care resources, political parties, local non-profits, and some very proud puppies from the Humane Society. on Sunday, July 8, the park was already bustling with vendors and eager attendees, decked out in the colours of the rainbow flag. Robyn Thomas and I had the opportunity to attend the Victoria Pride Festival on behalf of the Stigma-Free Society. This year’s parade boasted over 100 floats and participants, starting from Pandora Avenue and leading to the culminating festival in MacDonald Park. to 8 p.m.The Victoria Pride Society started as a casual picnic in Beacon Hill Park over 20 years ago, and it’s now the host of one of Canada’s largest Pride Weeks, including the annual “Big Gay Dog Walk,” the infamous “Dragball” event, and the parade. Where: Starts at the Johnson Street Bridge.Parade and festival vendor applications are now available online, but VPS notes that applicants will undergo a new vetting process focused on diversity and inclusion “to ensure that members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are the focus of pride.” Victoria Pride Parade “Together, we will continue to do the work to produce Pride so that all folks feel included we are already looking forward to more volunteers getting involved.” “I’m excited to collaborate with both an invigorated board of directors and our first-ever executive director to ensure 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are the focus of our parade and festival, especially after two years of living in isolation,” said VPS president Britton Kohn.
Since the last live event in 2019, VPS says it’s undergone quite a few changes, including electing nine new board members, naming a new president, and hiring its first executive director. Throughout the week, other signature festival events making a comeback include Pride Festival in the Park, the Big Gay Dog Walk, and the Memorial Drag Ball Game. “The colourful march will envelop the downtown Inner Harbour in the most vibrant display of pride on Vancouver Island,” Victoria Pride Society (VPS) told Victoria Buzz.Īccording to organizers, the parade will see a new route this year, taking marchers east over the Johnson Street Bridge then south onto Wharf Street before turning onto Government, Belleville and Menzies streets. The Victoria Pride Festival is scheduled to take place from June 23rd to July 2nd, as the Victoria Pride Parade cruises through town on Sunday, June 26th. One of the capital region’s most exuberant events is set to return in person this summer, following two years of virtual celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.