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Capital Prides invites the National Capital Region to show their pride during Winterlude; with a week of brand new programming, performances, learning opportunities and activism.

Ottawa, Ontario – Capital Pride launches its WinterPride today, taking place February 6th through 10th, co-produced in partnership with Canadian Heritage and Winterlude (Capital Experience). WinterPride will honour the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexual acts in Canada as its theme; celebrating the hard fought triumphs of the LGBTQ2+ community, while recognizing the important work left to be done.

Following the biggest Capital Pride Festival ever in the summer of 2018, WinterPride continues the momentum. The first pride celebration of its kind in the region will feature local stars, including Ms. Capital Pride 2018 Kimmy Dymond and Mr. Capital Pride Charli Deville; as well as international figures, including American Horror Story and The Bold and the Beautiful actor Chaz Bono, and RuPaul’s Drag Race superstars Derrick Barry and Trinity the Tuck. Our Speaker Series will also welcome trans activists from the National Capital Region and the surrounding regions to share their lived experience and speak about their advocacy work.

“Since the summer festival, Capital Pride maintains its commitment to being more community-driven. That’s why we consulted the community on what the first WinterPride should look like, said Davy Sabourin, Chairperson of Capital Pride. “Working closely with Canadian Heritage, we have been able to apply the wishes of the community, all while having programming that aligns with the four pillars of Capital Pride’s mission: education, advocacy, celebration and connection”

The inaugural WinterPride programming includes:

  • Speaker Series: Trans Voices, featuring local and regional activists, and an in-depth conversation with Chaz Bono, son of Sonny Bono and Cher;
  • The inaugural Capital Pride Awards Gala honouring leaders from the local LGBTQ2+ community, announcing the 2019 Grand Marshal and Youth Marshal and the first ever Community Champion. Including performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race superstars Derrick Barry and Trinity the Tuck;
  • An exciting weekend of programming on Sparks Street featuring Montreal legend Mado, burlesque and boylesque performers, impersonators, drag stars, and more; and
  • A commemorative march in honour of the 50 year anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexual acts in Canada, beginning at Parliament Hill.

“Between the summer festival and now, we’ve been working closely with the amazing and supportive team at Canadian Heritage to produce a memorable festival that gets the community out in the winter,” said Festival Director Christian Garceau. “Our operations team has volunteered so many hours to create exciting programming at the Canadian Museum of History, on Sparks St., and at Parliament Hill, and we couldn’t be more excited to share WinterPride with everyone.”

See the entire WinterPride schedule 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 2019 WinterPride from February 6th to 10th.

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