Our 2018 Pride Guide is now available in print and online.

Print copies are available at participating TD Bank branches, Rexall stores, Messine’s Independent Grocer, Loblaws (Rideau) and local business along Bank Street!

Or download it here: 2018 Pride Guide

 

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Today, Capital Pride announced its 2018 Grand Marshal, International Marshal and Youth Marshal for the Capital Pride parade taking place August 26, 2018. This follows a public nomination process that invited individuals and community organizations to nominate people who represent the LGBTQ2+ community in extraordinary ways and embody this year’s theme CommUNITY.

“The Capital Pride 2018 parade marshals were chosen for the leadership and commitment to community building,” said Toby Whitfield, Capital Pride Chairperson. “They are leaders who work tirelessly to improve the well-being of the LGBTQ2+ community both locally and globally, and we are proud to have them with us this year.”

The 2018 grand marshals are:

Grand Marshal: China Doll is an Ottawa drag icon. Known for her community work and love of karaoke, China Doll embodies Capital Pride’s values of of creating opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people.

Youth Marshal: SAEFTY (Support And Education For Trans Youth) is a youth organization for and run by trans, two-spirit and gender diverse youth in the National Capital Region.

International Marshal: Bruce Richman, Executive Director of Prevention Access Campaign is the founder of the international Undetectable Equals Untransmittable or U=U movement. The movement is dismantling HIV stigma and incentivizing treatment uptake and adherence by raising awareness that individuals with HIV viral loads at an undetectable level cannot sexually transmit HIV.

Each year, Capital Pride honours local, national and/or international LGBTQ2+ leaders as marshals of the Capital Pride parade. Recent marshals have included Candy Palmater, Charlie Lowthian-Rickert, Laith Ashley and Chrystos. This year’s marshals will participate in events throughout the Capital Pride Festival including the Flag Raising, Human Rights Vigil and Pride Pageant and will lead the Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, August 26.

The 2018 Capital Pride Festival takes place August 19-26, 2018 and includes two days of mainstage programming with rock icon Bif Naked and pop iconoclast Brooke Candy, an expanded street festival, 12 signature events, and over 60 community events. See the 2018 programming media kit here.

MORE INFORMATION:
Siofra Mcalister, Media Relations Coordinator & Allison Caverly, Assistant Media Relations Coordinator: 613-680-3033 ext. 103 | [email protected]

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Capital Pride has established a pilot project to enhance community events and programming during the 2018 Festival. Following feedback from community groups, the Community Project Fund will provide groups with funding to support an event or programming that takes place during the Festival. Events and programming should further one (or more) of Ottawa Capital Pride’s objectives: education, advocacy, connection or celebration.

This is a pilot project and it is anticipated that successful groups will receive up to $1,000 to support an event or project.

Deadline: Sunday, July 15, 2018

More information

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Each year Capital Pride recognizes people who make an impact on the local or broader LGBTQ2+ community. This year, we are asking the community to nominate people as our 2018 Grand Marshal and 2018 Youth Marshal. The Marshals are leaders in the community who create a better, more vibrant queer community.

Capital Pride continues to work to celebrate traditionally underrepresented people and as such we encourage nominations for trans people and non-binary people, racialized people, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, migrants and people from other marginalized communities.

• Grand Marshal: The Grand Marshal has had a big impact in the National Capital Region, Kitigan Zibi or Pikwakanagan First Nation through their engagement and effort in a meaningful initiative. This can be through their professional, personal or volunteer work.
• Youth Marshal: The Youth Marshal is a person aged 25 or under who has, through their dedication, elevated, brightened, and advocated for the LGBTQ2+ community in the National Capital Region, Kitigan Zibi or Pikwakanagan First Nation. The Youth Marshal has made a meaningful impact in school, work, a community organization or their neighbourhoods.

Previously, Capital Pride has awarded multiple people with the position of Grand Marshal or awarded a different Grand Marshal title and may choose to do so again.

Deadline for Nominations: Sunday, July 8, 2018

More information

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For immediate release

Changes include new community and youth initiatives, a larger festival site, and expanded music line-up and programming as Capital Pride sets sights on its largest Pride Festival yet.

Ottawa, Ontario – Capital Pride announced today its 2018 theme “CommUNITY” and new programming and events for Capital Pride Festival Week 2018, taking place August 19 through 26, 2018 in the National Capital Region.  

“Our 2018 theme is a tribute to people and organizations locally, nationally and globally who advocate for LGBTQ2+ rights. It is a celebration of the power of community.”  said Toby Whitfield, Capital Pride Chairperson, “Our expanded festival programming and new community initiatives are part of our goal to host the largest Pride Festival in our history.”

During the announcement, Festival Director Christian Garceau shared new programming and initiatives, saying “My team and I have been working hard to develop meaningful and impactful programming for the LGBTQ2 community and its wonderful allies. While no easy task, it’s an honour to bring this new programming to the region.” The new programming includes:

• 2 days of mainstage programming now at Bank St. and Somerset St. featuring headliners Bif Naked and Brooke Candy. The new Saturday line-up also includes an afternoon T-Dance, an early evening Drag Show and headlining evening performers.
• An expanded Street Festival stretching north along Bank Street from Gladstone Ave. to Somerset St. and new this year Somerset St. will be closed from Bank St. to O’Connor St..
• The launch of a Community Projects Fund to support community groups organizing events during the Festival.
• The launch of a Youth Marshal and a community nomination process for both the Grand Marshal and Youth Marshal.

“Our 2018 Grand Marshal and Youth Marshal will be leaders in the community who strive to create a better, more vibrant queer community and we are excited to ask the community for nominations this year” added Davy Sabourin, Capital Pride Community Relations Officer, “Our new Community Projects Fund builds on our commitment to support community groups during the Festival.”

See the entire 2018 programming media kit here.

Capital Pride creates opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the LGBTQ2+ community in Canada’s Capital Region. Capital Pride hosts the 2018 Capital Pride Festival from August 19 to 26.

MORE INFORMATION:

Siofra Mcalister, Media Relations Coordinator & Allison Caverly, Assistant Media Relations Coordinator:  613-680-3033 ext. 103 | [email protected]

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The Pride Guide has everything you need to know about this year’s festival including signature events, a parade and festival map and community events listings. 10,000 printed copies of the guide will be distributed throughout Ottawa and Gatineau in addition to a digital copy. Book by June 7 to confirm your spot!

Booking deadline: June 15, 2018
Artwork deadline: June 22, 2018

More information

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This year’s most colourful event promises to be even bigger, better and more inclusive than ever! More than a hundred community groups and organizations, sports teams, local businesses and allied groups will parade through Centretown and be set-up on Bank Street. Join in this year’s celebration!

Early Bird Deadline: Friday, June 29, 2018

Registration Deadline: Friday, August 3, 2018

Parade Registration

Participate in the Capital Pride Parade.

Register

Community Fair Registration

Participate in the Capital Pride Community Fair.

Register

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Events and Volunteer Coordinator

Capital Pride is seeking a summer intern to fill the role of Volunteer Coordinator and help plan and execute the 2018 Capital Pride Festival. The Coordinator will manage Pride’s Volunteer Program, work with the Operations Team to develop comprehensive event and volunteer plans, recruit over 150 volunteers and prepare a training program.

Position Type: Summer Contract
4 months, Month, April 30 – Friday, August 31, 2018

Hours of Work: 35 hours/week
Some evening and weekend work will be required.
The successful applicant must be available for Festival Week: Sunday, August 19 to Sunday, August 26, 2018.  

Rate of Pay $16 per hour

Job Description

Event Coordination

• Assist with the execution of our events, including co-branded community events, media launch, sponsor reception, family and youth events, pride pageant, networking events, festival weekend, and parade.
• Assist with the planning of various event components, including guestlist and invitations, venues, speakers and entertainment, food and beverage, photography and videography, accommodation and transportation, health and safety, and marketing.

Volunteer Recruitment

• Work with the Festival Director and Operations Team to identify the volunteer requirements for the 2018 festival.
• Develop volunteer job descriptions which include time commitments and job duties.
• Work with the Communications Coordinator to develop a promotional plan to promote the volunteer vacancies.
• Develop an application process and respond to inquiries from prospective volunteers.
• Conduct community outreach to promote the volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Training and Development

• Develop and implement a training program for volunteers that takes into account the different types of volunteer areas (community fair, parade, youth events) and includes an anti-oppression training component.
• Develop opportunities for volunteers from a range of backgrounds and skill sets to be engaged in meaningful volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Management

• Work with the Festival Producer, Event Coordinator and Operations Committee to develop volunteer staffing schedules for each event.
• Schedule volunteers taking into consideration event requirements and volunteer availability.
• Act as the primary liaison for all volunteer staff including responding to inquiries and fielding questions.

Other

• Prepare a Volunteer Management Report following the Festival that includes a summary of all communications materials, media mentions and social media strategy.
• Support other members of the Festival Team with general tasks as they arise.

Qualifications  

• Member of, or ally to, the LGBTQ2 community and a commitment to operating within an anti-oppressive work framework.
• Knowledge of, and/or experience working or volunteering in, the LGBTQ2 community.
• Experience in the planning and execution of volunteer run events
• Experience leading teams or managing volunteers or people (either in a work or volunteer setting).
• Comfortable with public speaking and conducting outreach.
• Detail oriented and very organized.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in busy and occasionally high-stress situations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel.

Eligibility

It is expected that this position will be supported by the Canada Summer Jobs Program. As such, applicants must meet the following requirements:  

• Have been registered as full-time students in the current academic year and intend to return to school on a full-time basis in September 2018;
• Be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the start of employment;
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or persons who have been granted refugee status in Canada;
• Be legally entitled to work according to provincial legislation and possess a valid Social Insurance Number; and
• Not be in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits at the start of the job.

Applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] no later than Friday, April 27 Only those candidates contacted for an interview will be notified.

Capital Pride is committed to the principles of employment equity. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome; in particular, applications are encouraged from racialized people, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, queer and trans people, and women.

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Events, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Capital Pride is seeking a summer intern to fill the role of Marketing Coordinator and help plan and execute the 2018 Capital Pride Festival. The Coordinator will assist developing marketing materials, producing the annual pride guide and managing social media channels.

Position Type: Summer Contract
4 months, Month, April 30 – Friday, August 31, 2018

Hours of Work: 35 hours/week
Some evening and weekend work will be required.
The successful applicant must be available for Festival Week: Sunday, August 19
to Sunday, August 26, 2018.  

Rate of Pay $16 per hour

Job Description

Event Coordination

• Assist with the execution of our events, including co-branded community events, media launch, sponsor reception, family and youth events, pride pageant, networking events, festival weekend, and parade.
• Assist with the planning of various event components, including guestlist and invitations, venues, speakers and entertainment, food and beverage, photography and videography, accommodation and transportation, health and safety, and marketing.

Marketing

• Assist in the development of a marketing strategy to promote the Festival throughout Ottawa including online marketing, traditional marketing (newspapers, radio) and through promotional campaigns and community outreach.
• Implement a marketing strategy to promote the Festival in key tourism markets throughout Ontario and Quebec.
• Assist the Festival Producer with the development of communications materials including text for websites, Pride Guide content and written text for marketing materials.   
• Work with graphics designer to develop promotional materials and all collateral.
• Work with the Festival Director to develop communication materials and event signage required for the Festival.

Social Media

• Coordinating the Festival’s bilingual social media strategy including developing a social media calendar, scheduling and posting content and monitoring social media platforms.
• Lead the Festival volunteer social media team and supervise on-site photographers and videographers during the Festival.
• Monitor the Festival’s general email inbox and social media accounts to respond to inquiries from community groups and festival attendees.

Media Relations

• Work with the Media Relations volunteer lead to develop a media relations strategy including identifying opportunities to engage the media, draft media releases and monitor media mentions.
• Coordinate media requests from both English and French media including conducting background research, scheduling interviews and preparing media messaging for spokespeople.

Other

• Prepare a Communications Report following the Festival that includes a summary of all communications materials, media mentions and social media strategy.
• Support other members of the Festival Team with general tasks as they arise.

Qualifications   

• Member of, or ally to, the LGBTQ2 community and a commitment to operating within an anti-oppressive work framework.
• Knowledge of, and/or experience working or volunteering in, the LGBTQ2 community
• Experience managing social media channels for other organizations
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in busy and occasionally high-stress situations.
• Bilingualism is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite is an asset

Eligibility

It is expected that this position will be supported by the Canada Summer Jobs Program. As such, applicants must meet the following requirements:  

• Have been registered as full-time students in the current academic year and intend to return to school on a full-time basis in September 2018;
• Be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the start of employment;
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or persons who have been granted refugee status in Canada;
• Be legally entitled to work according to provincial legislation and possess a valid Social Insurance Number; and
• Not be in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits at the start of the job.

Applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] no later than Friday, April 27 Only those candidates contacted for an interview will be notified.

Capital Pride is committed to the principles of employment equity. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome; in particular, applications are encouraged from racialized people, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, queer and trans people, and women.

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Want to be part of a new committee that will help Ottawa Capital Pride better serve and meet the needs of youth? Ottawa Capital Pride is looking for someone like YOU!

The Board of Directors of the Ottawa Capital Pride is looking for engaged youth, between the ages of 15 and 25, to form its new Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).

The purpose of the YAC will be to provide insight, advice and guidance for the development and implementation of Board policies and decisions specifically affecting LGBTQ2+ youth. Further, the YAC may also counsel the Festival Director and the Youth Coordinator in their event planning process and implementation to better serve the community.

This opportunity will provide you with a space to develop your own ideas and the platform to support OCP achieve their mission of Advocacy and Education to the public. This opportunity will allow you to acquire relevant skills while also providing you with meaningful engagement within your community.

Learn more and apply now

Ottawa Capital Pride (OCP) is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome and, in particular, applications are encouraged from Trans youth, Racialized youth, Indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, youth living with HIV, immigrants and women.

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Whether you’re a student looking to gain new skills or a seasoned professional looking to give back, we need dedicated volunteers to take a leadership role in planning and executing specific parts of the festival as a member of our Operations Team.

You’ll work closely with the Festival Director and different board members in performing the duties of your role. Through spring and early summer, you can expect to commit about five hours per week, increasing up to ten hours in late July and through August. Depending on your role, you may be needed for one or more full days during Pride Week, which runs August 20-26. A further five hours will be needed in early September for debriefing and reporting.

Our festival is built on a strong foundation of dedicated volunteers with strong leadership skills, who always see their project through completion. Please be prepared to make this commitment to us if applying for any of these roles.

View all roles here.

Please note the following applies to all roles:

Requirements (must-haves)

• Member of, or ally to, the LBGTQ+ Community and a commitment to operating within an anti-oppressive work framework
• 18 years of age or over
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in busy and occasionally high-stress situations
• Ability to take ownership of role and make reasoned decisions
• Ability to coordinate and supervise other volunteers
• Participate in Operations Committee meetings
• Organized and efficient working style
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Additional requirements are included in the individual role descriptions

Assets (nice-to-haves)

• Knowledge of, and experience volunteering in, the LBGTQ2+ community
• Experience working with volunteers
• Bilingualism
• Additional assets are included in the individual role descriptions

Applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to our Festival Director Christian Garceau at [email protected] no later than Sunday, April 1, 2018. Only those candidates contacted for an interview will be notified.

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Ottawa Capital Pride seeks a Festival Director to oversee the organization and execution of Ottawa’s 2018 Pride Festival. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Director will work with the Festival’s volunteer Operation Team and be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Festival.

The Director will lead the Festival’s Operations Team, which is made up of volunteers responsible for a wide range of festival organization including volunteer coordination, marketing, media relations, event production, festival accessibility and parade coordination. The Director will support the team through regular team meetings, establishing work plans and priorities and setting timelines and deadlines. The Director will also supervise two summer staff who will aid in the coordination of the Festival.

This successful candidate will work approximately 30-40 hours per week between February and April and increases to 40 hours per week between May and September. Some evening and weekend work is required between February and July and extended evenings and weekend hours will be required immediately leading up to and during the Festival.

Start Date: Week of February 12 (or as negotiated)

End Date: September 28, 2018

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

The Festival Director is responsible for

Sponsorship: Developing sponsorship material and generating both cash and in-kind sponsorship. Also responsible for renewing existing partnerships, generating new sponsorship opportunities, and ensuring sponsorship obligations are met.

Event Production: Overseeing the organization of the Festival’s signature events including the Pride Parade, Pride Pageant, Main Stage, Community Fair, Pride Social, Human Rights Vigil, Family Picnic and Youth Events.

Liaison with Municipal Partners: Developing materials in connection with the Festival’s Special Event Advisory Team (SEAT) application and working with various municipal partners (e.g. paramedics, police) to develop festival plans as required. Also responsible for preparing reports for SEAT following the Festival.

Volunteer Management: Working with the operations team to establish volunteer requirements for all areas of the Festival and overseeing the volunteer coordinators in the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers.

Marketing and Promotion: Overseeing the development of the Festival’s marketing and promotions plan, including both local marketing and tourism destination marketing.

Media Relations: Working with the media relations team to develop and carry out a media relations strategy, including the production of media releases, coordination of interviews with organizational spokespeople and occasional media interviews as required.

Office Administration: General office administration, answering phone calls, ensuring proper record keeping, and responding to general inquiries.

Budget and Finance: Working with the organization’s Treasurer to prepare and keep updated the Festival’s budget and ensure revenue and expense targets are met.

Community Partnerships and Outreach: Working with the Board of Directors to identify opportunities for community partnerships and performing outreach activities to strengthen Pride’s relationship with community groups. Also responsible for supporting groups looking to organize events during the Festival and those who want to participate in the Festival’s parade.

Reporting: Delivering regular reports to the Board of Directors and preparing a fulsome post-festival report.

Desired Skills

The Festival Director will be a strong and effective leader who is committed to organizing a successful 2018 Festival. The Director will have demonstrable experience leading teams and organizing multi-day events or festivals.

The following skills and experience are required:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in festival or event production, including experience with venue management, negotiating vendor contracts, and coordinating artists. Experience negotiating artist contracts is an asset.
• Event or festival marketing experience, including both traditional and digital marketing.
• Ability to lead and motivate volunteers.
• Understanding of non-profit organizational governance.
• Experience developing sponsorship programs that target local, regional and national partners.
• Creative problem solver with an ability to think outside the box.
• Familiarity with Ottawa’s LGBTQ community including community organizations and groups.
• Reliable, self-motivated and have the ability to work productively on your own without supervision.
• Experience with media relations is an asset.
• Excellent time-management skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Bilingualism is an asset

Applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] no later than Sunday, February 4, 2018. Only those candidates contacted for an interview will be notified.

Ottawa Capital Pride is committed to the principles of employment equity. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome; in particular, applications are encouraged from racialized people, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, queer and trans people, and women.

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Ottawa Capital Pride is looking for new board members to help organize Pride 2018 and beyond! We are looking for people who are passionate leaders looking to use their skills to contribute to the success of Capital Pride.

Ottawa Capital Pride brings together a team of dedicated staff and volunteers to organize the Capital Pride Festival each year. The festival creates a space for celebration, advocacy and education for dozens of community groups and includes more than 60 community events across the region. The festival culminates with a massive weekend of events which includes our community fair, main stage and beer garden and the pride parade.

We are looking for a group of candidates who, together, will have a broad range of experience and contribute an array of skills that will benefit the organization and who reflect the diversity of the community we serve. Skills and experience that are welcomed (but certainly is not limited to) include:

• Strategic planning
• Community engagement
• Event and festival management
• Traditional and social media communications
• Human resources and volunteer management
• Experience involved in non-profit organizations
• Accounting and financial management
• Information management and administration
• Non-profit governance and experience serving as a director for other non-profit organizations
• Experience with, or involvement in, LGBTQ community organizations

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume that outlines the experience and skills you
will bring to Ottawa Capital Pride. Applicants are asked to answer the following questions in
their cover letters:

• Why are you interested in joining Ottawa Capital Pride?
• What experience and skills will you contribute to the Capital Pride Team?
• Are you already involved in the LGBTQ community in Ottawa?
• Where do you see Ottawa Capital Pride three years from now? How do you see yourself contributing to that future?

Members of the community are asked to submit applications no later than January 15, 2018 to [email protected]. Please note, applicants will be reviewed on a revolving basis during the application period and so please feel free to apply early.

Are you interested in volunteering for Pride 2018? We’ll be recruiting volunteer team leaders and other volunteers in early 2018. Stay tuned!

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OTTAWA • Ottawa’s official Capital Pride Parade begins at 1:30 PM tomorrow, Sunday August 27. The parade leaves from the corner of Gladstone and Kent.

The Capital Pride Community Fair follows on Bank St. between Somerset and Florence, with entertainment and performances at the Main and Fresh Zone stages.

Notes for Media

Members of the press must present themselves at Capital Pride’s registration desk, at 338 Somerset West with photo ID, and official press credentials if available. Registration will be open between 11:30 AM and 12:45 PM.

Update: There will be a VIP media scrum at 3.00 PM. Media should present at 338 Somerset West to participate.

Contact

[email protected]

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Annual flag raising ceremony marks the beginning of Capital Pride 2017

OTTAWA • Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson raised the rainbow flag at Ottawa City Hall today, marking the beginning of the 32nd annual Capital Pride week in the city.

“The City of Ottawa, a leader in LGBTTQ+ equity, is a progressive, diverse and inclusive city, and proud to recognize the important advocacy work Ottawa Capital Pride has done over the years, while fostering a safe and vibrant rainbow community within the National Capital Region,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “The Capital Pride Festival is a great opportunity to highlight the contributions made by LGBTTQ+ communities everywhere, and acknowledge the progress that remains to be made at home and abroad.”

A week of celebrations

The flag raising precedes a week of festivities in the National Capital Region, culminating in the Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, August 27, 2017.

“This week, we celebrate with the LGBTQ2 community and its allies. “Just be,” the theme of this year’s celebrations, speaks to the festival’s goal of being a safe space for everyone. Canada’s capital city is in a position to be a leader for advocacy, education and celebration of the country’s LGBTQ2 communities and our Pride festival plays an important role in that,” said Tammy Dopson, the Chairperson of Ottawa Capital Pride.

Highlights of the week include the crowning of Mr./Ms./Mx. Capital Pride on Tuesday, a speech from this year’s Grand Marshal Candy Palmater and the annual Human Rights Vigil, both on Thursday. Sunday’s parade features performances by Mykki Blanco and the DJ Shub.

See the full festival line-up.

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The Ottawa REDBLACKS to recognize Capital Pride at the August 26 game against the BC Lions

OTTAWA • The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced today they will celebrate Capital Pride Week, August 21-27, 2017 with two events. The Saturday, August 26 game pitting the REDBLACKS against the BC Lions will be the club’s annual Pride Game ahead of the annual Capital Pride Parade, on August 27.  The parade will then feature players from the Ottawa REDBLACKS, the REDBLACKS Cheer Team, along with the Grey Cup, which the REDBLACKS triumphantly won in 2016.

“In a year where RNation welcomes OUR Nation it is imperative that we celebrate our Canadian values of diversity and inclusiveness,” said Bernie Ashe, CEO of OSEG, parent company of the REDBLACKS. “OSEG is looking forward to the events during Capital Pride Festival and we look forward to continuing our work with Capital Pride throughout the 105 th Grey Cup Festival and Game presented by Shaw.”

“Having the REDBLACKS participate in Ottawa Capital Pride events is a welcome message to Ottawa’s LGBTQ2 community that everyone has a place in the world of sports regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” added Tammy Dopson, Chair of the Ottawa Capital Pride Board of Directors.

Capital Pride Theme 2017: Just Be

Each year, the Ottawa LGBTQ2 community and its allies come together to celebrate Pride week in the Nation’s Capital. A fundamental goal of the festival is that it is a safe space for everyone – to spend time with friends and family, to meet new people, to talk about ideas and issues affecting our community, to dance, and yes, even to flirt! For many people it is also the time to come out and fully embrace their true identity or identities for the first time.  

With its theme this year, Capital Pride recognizes the journeys we have as individuals and the journey we share as a community. Attending Pride is part of both. When you come to Capital Pride this year, we hope you will have time to celebrate, but also reflect… we hope you will Just Be.

About Ottawa Capital Pride

The mission of the Ottawa Capital Pride organization is to create an environment for advocacy, education, and the fostering of a strong and vibrant LGBTQ2 community within the Nation’s Capital region. It does so through the annual Fierté dans la Capital(e) Pride festival, where it welcomes everyone to participate, celebrate, and experience being a part of the LGBTQ2 community.

Contact

Tammy Dopson
Chair, Ottawa Capital Pride
613 680 3033
[email protected]
www.ottawacapitalpride.ca

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Ottawa Capital Pride offers a lineup focusing on diversity, inclusiveness, and local talent.

OTTAWA • The organizers of Ottawa Capital Pride today unveiled the list of performers slated for the music festival portion of Pride Week.

On Sunday, August 27th, following the pride parade, Ottawa residents and visitors will descend on Bank St. for musical programming at the main stage that includes American rapper, performance artist, poet, and activist Mykki Blanco; DJ Shub; DJ Jungle Jen; Shawnee; and local favourites The Peptides.

The alcohol-free and all-ages friendly Fresh Zone will feature performances by Disco Drag with Kitty Funk and the Queens; Amanda Rheaume; Kimberly Sunstrum; Capital Kings; Drag Story Time; and DJ Grace.

“We had three goals in mind when choosing this year’s artists,” said Mike Connors, Festival Producer for Capital Pride.  “We wanted a lineup that captures diversity and inclusiveness with a focus on local talent.

Also announced today was the theme for Capital Pride 2017, Just Be. “Ottawa Capital Pride is intended to be a welcoming and safe space for everyone,” said Tammy Dopson, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Our theme celebrates the individual experience of all who attend our festival, as well as Pride as a place to celebrate our community’s diversity.”

Ottawa Capital Pride week begins on Monday, August 21st, with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall and concludes on Sunday, August 27th.

Capital Pride Theme 2017: Just Be

Each year, the Ottawa LGBTQ2 community and its allies come together to celebrate Pride week in the Nation’s Capital. A fundamental goal of the festival is that it is a safe space for everyone – to spend time with friends and family, to meet new people, to talk about ideas and issues affecting our community, to dance, and yes, even to flirt! For many people it is also the time to come out and fully embrace their true identity or identities for the first time.
With its theme this year, Capital Pride recognizes the journeys we have as individuals and the journey we share as a community. Attending Pride is part of both. When you come to Capital Pride this year, we hope you will have time to celebrate, but also reflect… we hope you will Just Be.

About Ottawa Capital Pride

The mission of the Ottawa Capital Pride organization is to create an environment for advocacy, education, and the fostering of a strong and vibrant LGBTQ2 community within the Nation’s Capital region. It does so through the annual Fierté dans la Capital(e) Pride festival, where it welcomes everyone to participate, celebrate, and experience being a part of the LGBTQ2 community.

Contact

Mike Connors
Festival Producer, Ottawa Capital Pride
613 680 3033
[email protected]
www.ottawacapitalpride.ca

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Ottawa Capital Pride honours Grand Marshal who has been an important activist and champion of inclusivity for the LGBTTQ+ community.

OTTAWA • Ottawa Capital Pride is excited to announce that actor, writer, columnist, international speaker, activist, comedian and multiple award-winning TV and radio personality Candy Palmater will be the Grand Marshall of 2017’s Pride Parade on Sunday, August 27 at 1:30 PM. Festival goers can also expect her to make surprise appearances at Capital Pride’s signature events throughout Pride Week in Ottawa; August 21 – 27.  Candy will also be delivering a keynote speech during Pride Week.

“Every year we choose a Grand Marshal who exemplifies leadership in advocacy and improving the lives of those in the LGBTTQ+ community, locally, nationally and on the global stage,” explained Tammy Dopson, Chair of Ottawa Capital Pride. “As part of Capital Pride’s 2017 edition, we have put First Peoples first along with this year’s Grand Marshal who will be leading the city’s most colourful procession.”

“I am honoured to serve as Grand Marshall of Ottawa Capital Pride. I think expressions of pride are important in every town, village, and first nations community across our country.  I am thrilled that my wife and I will be celebrating in traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin people,” Candy said, following her acceptance of this crucial role in the Pride Parade.

Ottawa Capital Pride looks forward to working with Candy in fulfilling its mission of creating an environment for advocacy, education and celebration in the National Capital Region during various signature events throughout Pride Week 2017.

About Candy

A recovered lawyer turned feminist comic, Candy is the creator and star of her own national, multiple award-winning TV series The Candy Show (APTN). She has a role on the Trailer Park Boys S10 (Netflix), appeared in Call Me Fitz (HBO Canada), and Sex and Violence (OutTV), and received a Screen Nova Scotia nomination for her role on Forgive Me (Superchannel). She’s a Broadcaster with CBC Radio One where Candy has hosted The Candy Palmater Show, Q, DNTO and appears on Because News and The Next Chapter.

About Ottawa Capital Pride

The mission of the Ottawa Capital Pride organization is to create an environment for advocacy, education, and the fostering of a strong and vibrant rainbow community within the Nation’s Capital region. It does so through the annual Fierté dans la Capital(e) Pride festival, where it welcomes everyone to participate, celebrate, and experience being a part of the rainbow community.

Contact

Tammy Dopson
Chair, Ottawa Capital Pride
613 680 3033

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For Immediate Release

Friends,

As Pride Month comes to a close in many parts of the country, in Ottawa, the staff and volunteers of Capital Pride are going full steam with preparations for our city’s festival in August. It is also a time to reflect on the feedback we have received from our consultations with stakeholders and LGBTQ2 community members in the last several months.

Our city is evolving and growing and so too must Pride – a unique festival with as rich a cultural and political history as the people of Ottawa’s LGBTQ2 community. Capital Pride’s new organization and return to Bank Street in 2015 is representative of this shift, as is our community’s growing diversity.
Inclusion. Accessibility. Equity. These are just some of the most important and powerful principles that were raised in our consultations. While recognizing the hard work and advocacy in advancing LGBTQ2 rights over the last several decades, it is clear that social justice remains top of mind for many of us in Ottawa’s LGBTQ2 community, including Capital Pride.

Achievements like equal marriage, changes to public pensions, and most recently, the Royal Assent of Bill C-16, which adds gender identity as grounds for prohibiting discrimination in the Human Rights Act, do not automatically create social change. Many LGBTQ2 Canadians, particularly people of colour, people with disabilities, two-spirited people and members of the trans community still experience discrimination, harassment and violence in their day-to-day lives – on the street, in their workplaces and even in their homes and schools. There is still much work to be done.

During our consultation process and in ongoing conversations with stakeholders, we have been particularly mindful of events in the last year concerning police participation in Prides across the country. On the issue of police participation in the Capital Pride festival, community members have been passionate in their views. Of particular note were the strong feelings of many people who attended our consultation meetings – particularly LGBTQ2 youth – that uniformed police officers should not participate in Capital Pride activities off-duty. Conversely, we heard from many other community members that inclusion in Capital Pride for them means inclusion of uniformed police officers.

As an organization, Capital Pride supports the participation of individual LGBTQ2 police officers and their allies in this year’s festival. Indeed, we hope that members of police forces at all levels attend Pride events with their friends, families and colleagues. However, it is of prime importance to us that everyone feels safe at Pride, particularly LGBTQ2 youth, and racialized and Indigenous community members. Accordingly, we respectfully request that participating officers reserve their uniforms and vehicles for official work duties only this year.

The Ottawa Police Service will continue to provide the necessary services to ensure public safety at this year’s festival. Capital Pride recognizes the valuable work of the Ottawa Police Service in supporting us in the planning of the festival to this end.

In the coming years, the Capital Pride festival will continue to be a platform for its three pillars: celebration, education and advocacy. While Ottawa’s Pride is only one week in August and is centred around The Village on Bank Street, it is more than just one place and one weekend. Our festival programming is a reflection of our shared history, values and commitment to helping our community thrive year-round.

We hope that everyone in Ottawa’s LGBTQ2 community will continue to participate in the conversations started this year. We will be listening.

Capital Pride Board of Directors

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