Guelph Pride

Guelph Pride is an LGBT pride festival, held annually in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.[1] Organized by the Guelph Pride Committee with the assistance of Out on the Shelf, the city's local LGBT library and resource centre,[2] the event takes place in May each year.[3] The event generally takes place as the first Pride celebration in the Southern Ontario region each summer.[4]

Held for the first time in 2003, the event celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013.[1] Prior to the launch of its own Pride festival, Guelph held events as part of Waterloo Region's tri-Pride.[5] tri-Pride and it's former name Waterloo-Wellington Regional Pride Committee with a number of community partners assisted with the transition to create Guelph's own pride festival committee [6] In 2013, the organization also launched Winter Pride, a smaller separate program of events which takes place in February.[2]

The organization is well-supported by community leaders. Former mayor Karen Farbridge has officiated the official raising of the rainbow flag to kick off the event,[3][7] and Liz Sandals, the city's provincial MPP, has also attended events and supported the organization.[8]

The organization also works to help build and develop LGBT resources throughout Southwestern Ontario; in 2011, they donated several hundred books to the Thames Art Gallery in Chatham to help build a local LGBT library and archive.[9]

Unlike many larger pride festivals, Guelph Pride does not currently hold a parade, instead focusing on a more modest program of family and community events.[8] Its weeklong program of events currently culminates in an afternoon family fair at the city's West End Community Centre on the final weekend, followed by a pride dance in the evening.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Guelph seniors centre hosts Pride Week discussion". Guelph Mercury, May 9, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Taking pride in diversity". The Ontarion, February 13, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Pride flag hoisted at Guelph city hall to officially launch Pride Week". MSN Canada, May 7, 2013.
  4. "Prides to watch out for". Xtra!, May 29, 2009.
  5. "It takes a village to raise a Pride". Xtra!, May 29, 2003.
  6. http://www.grandriver-rainbowhistory.ca/tri-PrideEvents/2003tri-Pride/2003-06-14GuelphPridePoster.pdf
  7. "Pride Week takes flight in city; Mayor on hand to fly rainbow flag". Guelph Mercury, May 27, 2008.
  8. 1 2 "Pride picnic revival planned". The Record, May 29, 2006.
  9. "Exhibit takes a look at local LGBTQ history, culture". Chatham This Week, December 7, 2011.

External links


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