Pride Season (Canada)

In Canada, Pride Season refers to the wide array of Pride events held from June to September. In other countries like the United States, the month of June is recognized as Pride Month whereas in Canada, it's a full season.

During this time, LGBT communities and their allies come together to spotlight resilience, celebrate talent, and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.

History

Pride gatherings have historical roots in the first large-scale protests for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights.

The We Demand Rally was the first large-scale LGBT rights demonstration in Canada. The rally occurred on August 28, 1971, in Ottawa, and was organized by the gay rights activist groups Toronto Gay Action (TGA) and Community Homophile Association of Toronto (CHAT). There was a parallel rally in Vancouver that was organized in solidarity with the rally by the Vancouver group Gay Alliance Toward Equality (GATE).

By 1973, Pride events had expanded to several Canadian cities, including Montréal, Saskatoon, Toronto, and Winnipeg.

Historically, Pride celebrations were only held in major city centres but now occur in small rural communities in every corner of Canada.

Major Pride Festivals in Canada

Many Pride events in Canada occur in Pride Month (June) to honour the Stonewall Riots in the United States. Several major cities in Atlantic Canada hold their Pride celebrations in July. And others hold their events in August to honour the We Demand Rally.

Dates may change depending on the calendar year.

June

• Toronto, Ontario
• Regina, Saskatchewan
• Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Thunder Bay, Ontario
• Kitchener, Ontario

July

• Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Charlottetown, PEI
• St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Frediction, New Brunswick
• Kelowna, BC

August

• Ottawa, Ontario
• Windsor-Essex, Ontario
• Vancouver, BC
• Montreal, Quebec
• Whitehorse, Yukon
• Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

September

• Calgary, Alberta
• North Bay, Ontario

Additional Activities

Canada's various LGBT organizations such as Egale Canada and Rainbow Railroad often launch awareness and fundraising campaigns to correspond with Pride Season.