June officially marks the start of Pride Season in Canada. It is a vibrant and powerful expression of love, identity, and resilience within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It is also a time to recognize a history of courage and resistance, and a continued fight for equity and inclusion across the country.
Canadian Pride: The Power of Protest
Canada’s Pride history is rooted in protest and perseverance. The country’s first major 2SLGBTQIA+ demonstration took place in Ottawa in 1971 with the “We Demand” protest. This landmark event laid the foundation for future Pride movements across the nation.
In 1981, following a series of police raids on Toronto bathhouses, more than 3,000 people took to the streets in protest—an event often referred to as Canada’s “Stonewall moment.” From these acts of resistance emerged a growing movement that has since transformed into the vibrant and inclusive Pride celebrations we see today.
Legal victories have followed years of activism. In 1996, sexual orientation was added to the Canadian Human Rights Act, and in 2005, Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
While these achievements are significant, the work toward true equity continues, particularly for trans and Two-Spirit individuals, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people of colour.
Beyond the Parade: Pride in Action
While Pride Season is a festive one, it is more than about parades and parties. It is a reminder of hard-won victories, but also of human rights still being denied. 2SLGBTQIA+ communities continue to face disproportionate levels of discrimination, violence, and barriers to healthcare, housing, and employment. Today, more than ever, 2SLGBTQIA+ allyship must move beyond intention. That is why our WCC Team works to help organizations translate aspirational allyship into meaningful action.
This Pride Season as we celebrate love, identity, and resilience, let us also commit to challenging injustice, amplifying marginalized voices, and ensuring that equality and dignity are not privileges, but rights for all.
Pride Across the Country
Starting in June, cities and communities across Canada host a wide range of Pride events that honour the community’s diverse voices and stories. Here are a few: