Pride season is upon us! While it is an exciting and celebratory time of year, it is also important to remember the origins of Pride. In 1969, a police raid took place at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, sparking six days of protest. On the one-year anniversary of Stonewall, the first Pride marches were held, marking a pivotal moment in 2SLGBTQIA+ history. Over time, marches have grown into a season of celebration and reflection across the globe and remains rooted in decades of activism.
As Pride becomes more widely accepted, it is also at risk of becoming corporatized and stripped of its social justice roots. This is especially troubling because of escalating attacks and hateful rhetoric that has flared up across the Prairies. The recent attacks on 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, requires all of us now, more than ever, we must renew our support, solidarity, and action for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Throughout the Prairies, the community continues to face discriminatory legislation, particularly targeting youth in schools and access to health care. In Saskatchewan, Bill 137 (The Education Amendment Act, also known as, Parents’ Bill of Rights) mandates parental consent for students under 16 to use preferred names and pronouns at school consequently, placing barriers on gender expression.
In Alberta, Bill 26 (The Health Statutes Amendment Act) prohibits regulated health professionals from prescribing hormone therapy to minors for gender dysphoria or incongruence. And beginning in September 2025, Alberta’s Education Amendment Act will require parental notification and consent for gender identity-related name and pronoun use in schools.
Even though, Alberta and Saskatchewan are waging attacks at 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, it is important to acknowledge positive developments in Manitoba. More specifically, the government has introduced and passed three important pieces of legislation, including the passing of The Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility Act, which officially recognizes March 31 as an annual day of visibility. Additionally, Bill 26 (The Vital Statistics Amendment Act), which removes barriers for adults seeking to change their sex designation on birth certificates. And finally, Bill 48 (The Human Rights Code Amendment Act) also proposes to expand protections in Manitoba’s Human Rights Code to include gender expression.
As we’ve seen, legislation is a powerful tool, one that can either protect or harm the 2SLGTBTIA+ communities. It is only through our collective voice, united against prejudice and discrimination, that we can stop renewed efforts to undermine 2SLGTBTIA+ identities and rights.
We must continue to stand together and remember the brave individuals, throughout history and across the Prairies, who have fought and continue to fight to protect and uplift the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We remain committed to ensuring 2SLGBTQIA+ members of our union are supported and have a place to organize, connect, and work toward safer, more inclusive workplaces and communities.
If you identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, please reach out to your local Human Rights Committee, or contact me directly, to learn more about how to get involved.
And finally, enjoy the celebrations and the joy that only Pride season can bring!
In Solidarity,
Marianne Hladun
Regional Executive Vice-President, Prairies
Public Service Alliance of Canada
Below are Pride events throughout the Prairie Region if you know of any other pride events that you would like listed please email them here! Subject: Prairie Pride Event 2025
MANITOBA
May 23 – June 1: Pride Winnipeg Festival (for full programming with times and locations please visit: https://pridewinnipeg.com/community-events/
Highlights include:
May 24 @ 12:00pm – Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall (510 Main Street)
May 31 @ 10:00am – Winnipeg Trans March at MB Legislative Building (450 Broadway)
June 1 @ 10:00am – Pride Rally at MB Legislative Building (450 Broadway)
@ 11:00am – Pride Parade Starts
Jun 07: Pembina Valley Pride March 1 – 4:00pm Carman’s Ryall Park (2 St SW, Carman, MB)
Jun 07: Springfield Pride Committee hosts – 2nd annual PRIDE incls. BBQ and first ever drag show! 12PM – 4PM Springfield Curling Club (27019 Dugald Rd)
Jun 08: Neepawa Paint with Pride event – 11:00am in front of ArtsForward (293 Mountain Ave, Neepawa, MB); updates provided HERE!
FOR MORE EVENT LISTINGS PLEASE VISIT HERE!
Jun 13: Dauphin Walk with Pride march
Jun 14: Brandon Pride in the Park @1:00pm – 4:00pm – Rideau Park (305 Park St, Brandon, MB)
Jun 15: Brandon Pride March @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm – Brandon City Hall, 410 9th St, Brandon, MB)
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS IN BRANDON PLEASE VISIT HERE!
Jul 13: Eastman Pride @ 1:00pm Wild Skies Resort (71057 Brookfield Rd, River Hills, MB)
Sept 14: Save the date! – Neepawa’s Got Pride Details coming soon!
** Due to the wildfires, Flin Flon Pride will not be proceeding in 2025.
SASKATCHEWAN
May 31: Moose Jaw Pride – 11:00am – 1:00pm – Crescent Park (Langdon Crescent, Moose Jaw, SK) – MORE INFO HERE!
Jun 01-07: Prince Albert Pride – Check out all the events throughout the week here!
Jun 07: Pride in the park – parade starts at 11:00am – 1800 Central Avenue – MORE INFO HERE!
Jun 06-15: Queen City Pride Festival in Regina – Check out all the events throughout the week here!
Jun 14: Pride Parade @ 12:00pm 12th Avenue between Montreal Street and Broad Street.
Jun 15-22: Saskatoon Pride – Check out all the events throughout the week here!
Jun 22: Pride Parade @ 12:00pm – 2:00pm Downtown – MORE INFO HERE!
Yorkton Pride dates to be announced.
July 6 – 12: Swift Current Pride Week – Check out all the events throughout the week here!
ALBERTA
Jun 07: Wainwright Pride Festival, Pride Walk @ 11:30AM (Arrive 11:15am) The Bison 10th Street – Walk to the Wainwright Legion (1030 2nd Ave) – MORE INFO HERE!
Jun 28: Airdrie Pride Festival, Nose Creek Park, Airdrie, MORE INFO HERE!
Jun 28: Wood Buffalo Pride Festival, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Heritage Shipyard, MORE INFO HERE!
Aug 22-24: Edmonton Pride Festival (events TBC), MORE INFO HERE!
Aug 24-31: Calgary Pride Festive (events TBC), MORE INFO HERE!