ABOUT US
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The Pride Winnipeg Festival runs annually and consists of an array of cultural events that celebrate the incredibly diverse community that supports or identifies with the GSRD (gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diverse) community.
We respectfully recognize that Pride Winnipeg takes place on Treaty One Territory; the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Since 1987, Pride Winnipeg serves the GSRD community by celebrating our fights, victories, and reasons to be proud.
We have 16 Board Members and 30 Managing Members, who help organize Pride Winnipeg’s year-round activities, and over 200 volunteers on average who help deliver the Pride Week activities.
Average number of hours our volunteers contribute every year to make Pride Winnipeg come to life.
ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLES
Mission
Vision
Values
Diversity, Inclusivity, Safe Spaces, Accessibility, Sustainability.
NOTRE HISTOIRE
On August 2, 1987, about 250 people marched in Winnipeg’s first Pride Day. It was a brave step – a tentative venture out of a dark closet that for too long confined the spirits of those who belong to Winnipeg’s GSRD community. Legally and socially, and in many other ways, the world was still an oppressive and homophobic place. A few people in that first march wore paper bags over their heads to conceal their identities, for fear of discrimination and ridicule from friends, family members, and co-workers.
1980sIn the 90s, our GSRD community faced many obstacles - but the fight continued. Pride Winnipeg started to grow and attract more attention from the media, community members, and allies. The Pride Winnipeg Parade evolved, and the Festival took place in Memorial Park.
1990sThousands started to attend the Pride Winnipeg Festival to celebrate our many victories and our diverse community, and to remember that there is so much to be proud of and thankful for. Pride Winnipeg evolved from a one-day event into a 10-day festival filled with pride, confidence, fun, colour, music, laughter, optimism, and activism.
2000sIn 2010, Pride expanded, and the Pride Festival started to take place at The Forks. In 2012, Pride celebrated 25 years. In 2014, Pride Winnipeg was home to the Fierte Canada Pride (FCP), its Annual General Meeting and Conference. In 2018, the Annual March moved back to Portage Avenue. At the end of the decade, Pride evolved from a half-day to a two-day event that sees an average of 35,000 individuals.
2010sThe beginning of the decade also marked the first time since its foundation that Pride Winnipeg did not do any in-person events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the Pride Festival took place virtually, which is also happening in 2021. For 2022, Winnipeg will once again be home to the Fierte Canada Pride - what a great way to celebrate Pride Winnipeg's 35-year anniversary!
2020sPARTNERSHIPS
Fierte Canada Pride
Fierté Canada Pride est un organisme canadien sans but lucratif constitué en personne morale qui se consacre au réseautage, au soutien et à l'expansion des événements de la Fierté qui se déroulent partout au Canada. Cet organisme réunit des groupes de la Fierté de partout au pays, ce qui leur permet de s'exprimer d'une seule voix en faveur du financement des arts et de la culture, des initiatives gouvernementales et de l'égalité des droits.
InterPride
InterPride est une association internationale de coordonnateurs qui promeuvent la fierté lesbienne, gaie, bisexuelle et transgenre. Fierté Winnipeg s'est joint à InterPride en 2003 lorsque l’organisme a participé à la conférence internationale qui avait été tenue à Montréal.
Ces événements ont permis de relier la ville de Winnipeg à d’autres organismes internationaux de la Fierté et ont inspiré d'excellentes idées pour la planification de cette célébration compliquée, mais enrichissante.
Pride Winnipeg has continued to attend Canadian Region 7 conferences as well as the International conference when possible. Winnipeg was proud to host the last Canadian Region 7 Conference in 2005 .
