(Winnipeg, MB; April 19, 2017) – Pride Winnipeg is thrilled to announce its theme for the 30th Anniversary Pride Winnipeg Festival: “Resurgence: Taking Back Space”. The theme is a call to action and a reminder for everyone in the community that while the LGBTTQ* community has made great strides over the past 30 years, there is still much more to be done to ensure that we do not stop advocating for those who continue to face discrimination and social exclusion.
The term Resurgence is defined as: a rising again into life, activity, or prominence. Over the past decades, The Pride movement evolved from one of protest and demonstration, to one of celebration. However, the celebration has mainly been for Lesbian and Gay individuals, while our Bisexual, Trans-Identified, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, Queer and Queer People of Colour communities have not yet felt the same progress and desire for celebration of equality. Furthermore, they have continued to be subjected to both unintentional and intentional discrimination from society and fellow members of the community.
“I have had trailblazers before me who have made it ok for me to be me and be out at work and in my community but I haven’t taken on the responsibility of being a trailblazer for those in our community who still need it the most.”
– Feedback from middle-aged Caucasian gay male at a Pride Winnipeg community consultation.
As we reflect on the 30th anniversary of the first Pride March in Winnipeg, it is important that we refocus our efforts to ensure that no members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-Identified, Two-Spirit and Queer (LGBTTQ*) community are left behind. Our theme, Resurgence: Taking Back Space is one part of our effort to increase the safety, accessibility, diversity and inclusiveness of Pride Winnipeg’s activities. Other initiatives include:
- Our Governance Board Member positions have been designated for individuals self-identifying as part of traditionally socially excluded group within the LGBTTQ* community, including but not limited to: Female-Identified, Trans-Identified, Queer and Trans People of Colour, Indigenous or Two-Spirited, 55+, people living with disabilities, Non-Binary, etc.;
- Our Resurgence Fund, providing financial support to community group events throughout Pride week;
- Our Parade Grant program providing free entry to a number of groups who demonstrate financial hardship; and
- We have made space available at no cost at the Festival at the Forks for groups who want to promote diversity and inclusiveness.
Most importantly, we commit to listen and integrate the voices of individuals and groups from all facets of the community, as we strive to make Pride Winnipeg activities a safe and welcoming space for all.
Pride Winnipeg will be formally launching the theme this evening at 7pm at the West End Cultural Centre. The theme launch is a free event that is open to the public and will include pizza and a show from Like That of Sunshine House. Media are welcome to attend.
The Pride Winnipeg 30th Anniversary Festival runs from May 26th to June 4th with events throughout the community. A two-day Festival at the Forks will take place on June 3rd and 4th from 12pm to 7pm. Our 30th Anniversary Pride Parade will take place on June 4th, 2017 in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. The parade route starts on Memorial Avenue and York Avenue and will proceed to Portage Avenue and run through the city’s most important intersection, Portage & Main, for this historic milestone in our community.
Pride Winnipeg – The Pride of the Prairies – is one of the largest celebrations between Toronto and Vancouver of LGBTTQ* (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer, questioning, intersex, and pansexual) people and their allies, supporters and friends. Our mission is to affirm the lives of everyone by generating and participating in events that celebrate the history, culture, spirit and pride of people within the Winnipeg community.