Meet the New Executive Director of Capital Pride!

(Above: Previous Executive Director, Toby Whitfield, announces his step-down from the organization alongside Capital Pride Staff & Board of Directors)

After two years of incredible work at the head of the organization, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Toby Whitfield, the previous Executive Director of Capital Pride. Toby skillfully planned and coordinated the Capital Pride Festival in both 2022 and 2023, in addition to the robust programming schedule throughout the year. We will miss him greatly and wish him the best with this new chapter in his career. Although we are sad to see him go, we are thrilled to announce the new Executive Director that will be taking over the management of Capital Pride: Callie Metler!

Callie (she/her) is a PhD Candidate at Carleton University in the Department of English Language and Literature. Her graduate research focuses on queer archival practice in Canada, and she specializes in teaching 20^th and 21^st century gay and lesbian literatures. As such, she believes that queer activism and advocacy can be fostered through education, and that such an education should be accessible to all.

Having joined the Capital Pride team as the Operations and Logistics Coordinator for the 2022 Festival, and returned this past summer as the Operations Director. Callie has demonstrated incredible leadership and developed a great understanding of the goals and functioning of the organization. Under her oversight, the 2022 and 2023 Street Festivals and Parades were all incredible successes with the largest recorded attendances in the organization’s history.

Callie was announced as the Executive Director during the annual Capital Pride Reception at the National Gallery of Canada where local community groups, partners, and sponsors come together to celebrate the beginning of Pride Week in the National Capital, following the Progress Flag raising in front of Ottawa City Hall.

(Above: Board Co-President Victoria Wang announce Callie Metler as the new Executive Director).

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With the 2023 Capital Pride Festival right around the corner, we are thrilled to announce this year’s Grand Marshal and Honoured Group. Capital Pride’s awards program celebrates the local 2SLGBTQ+ community. Our recipients are leaders engaged in meaningful work in the local area. Each year, our recipients lead the annual Pride Parade. 

Grand Marshal: Fae Johnstone

“Pride was founded in protest, in a radical dream of a better world for all queer and trans people Amidst a global rise in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate, we need to Get Loud and Get Proud. We need to challenge government inaction, confront hate and come together as a community to celebrate all we have to offer the world. This pride season, I call on all of us to redouble our commitment to queer liberation, to remember those we’ve lost, and fight like hell for the living. I’ve spent the past decade advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ liberation, and that’s exactly the energy I’ll bring as your 2023 Grand Marshal.”

Fae johnstone

For her advocacy and visibility as a trans woman, Fae has been targeted by far right and anti-trans movements across North America. In March 2023, Fae was included in a Hershey’s Canada International Women’s Day ad initiative which spawned an international boycott campaign against Hersheys, and a tsunami of hate directed Fae’s way from far right figureheads and media around the world. 

Fae has been named an “Emerging Social Impact Leader” by The Peak, a “Top 30 Social Purpose Newsmaker” by Future of Good, “One of Ten Spectacular Canadian Women to Watch” by Notable Life, and was the 2016 recipient of LGBT YouthLine’s Trans Activist Award.

Honoured Group: The Ten Oaks Project

Building community has always been how we persevere. Ten Oaks exists to carry on this legacy and ensure that 2SLGBTQIA+ families and communities in Ottawa and beyond have the supports and spaces they need to thrive. When we Get Proud together, nothing can stop us.”

Lux, Executive Director of Ten Oaks project.

Camp Ten Oaks is still going strong and the Ten Oaks Project now runs a host of other programs, including education and support for families of newly out trans and gender diverse young people, a camp for youth with connections to Indigenous Wellbeing Agencies and Children’s Aid Societies, and a monthly social space for trans people in Ottawa to build intergenerational community.

Learn more and donate to support Ten Oaks Project at www.tenoaksproject.org

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With Pride season underway, organizers say that Pride festivals and events are safe to attend and are important for building 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion – despite increased challenges coming from increased anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate

OTTAWA — Amidst a climate of rising anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate in Canada and around the world, Fierté Canada Pride — Canada’s network of Pride organizations — has received a $1.5 million investment that will support anti-hate measures for Pride festivals. From small festivals to the largest in the country, prides across Canada are encountering rising costs due to increased incidents of hate. This funding from the federal department of Women and Gender Equality will be distributed by Fierté Canada Pride in order to offset these increased costs for Pride festivals. 

Over the coming days, Fierté Canada Pride will announce the details around the funding, which will support increased infrastructure costs, emergency and security related costs, and costs for community safety such as volunteer training. 

“For our local Pride in Timmins, we are seeing more hate than ever before. It is unacceptable that progress in human rights is backsliding — and that’s why it is so important to host Pride events, and have strong attendance,” said Julie DeMarchi, who is both President of Fierté Canada Pride and the Founder and Treasurer of Fierté Timmins Pride. “Pride is a time to gather with joy, love, and radical acceptance, and this new fund will help ensure this remains possible. We are encouraging everyone to come to Pride, and support local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations in any way they can by either donating or volunteering.”

Over the past few years, rising incidents of hate targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities has created increased challenges for Prides, which led to the creation of this fund.

“We would like to thank Minister Ien and the Government of Canada for this crucial investment,” said Alessandro Iachelli, Executive Director of Fierté Canada Pride. “While this funding is one immediate part of responding to this pressing issue, more needs to be done, and Fierté Canada Pride will continue to work with all levels of government on anti-hate and 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion work. While we celebrate Pride, we must remember that our focus is to ensure that every 2SLGBTQIA+ person in Canada should be able to be safe, respected, and able to thrive.”

Pride season is already in full swing, and while some Pride organizations have experienced increased backlash, Pride events are safe to attend and an important part of fostering 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion.

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ABOUT FIERTÉ CANADA PRIDE:  Fierté Canada Pride (FCP) is the national association of Canadian Pride organizations, membership-based and governed by volunteers.  The main goal of FCP is to promote gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and two-spirited Prides on a national level.  Our mission is to help build vibrant and strong Canadian Pride organizations through collaboration, offering support, networking, helping to develop a national identity of Pride, and by offering resources and advocacy for its members.

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Capital Pride is seeking an experienced community builder, exceptional leader and skilled event planner to take on the role of Executive Director. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for organizing and facilitating all Capital Pride events, ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the organization, representing Capital Pride to the media and in the community, and providing overall organizational leadership.

The Executive Director will lead the overall coordination of Capital Pride’s two flagship festivals — Winter Pride and the Summer Festival — and other events throughout the year. The selected candidate will develop relationships with community organizations and governmental stakeholders, and fundraise through sponsorship opportunities and grant applications. The Executive Director will also recruit and manage festival staff and volunteers, establishing work plans and priorities and setting timelines and deadlines. They will have experience in event production and promotion and be passionate about supporting, celebrating and advocating for the 2SLGBTQI+ community.      

The Executive Director will need to be self-motivated, organized and hardworking. The position is 40 hours per week, with additional evening and weekend hours required leading up to and during WinterPride and the Summer Festival. 

Position Type: Full-time, permanent

Start Date: Flexible, but aiming for mid-July 2023

Annual Salary: Starting $80,000 (commensurate with experience and with the possibility of additional bonuses and raises)

Location: Ottawa, ON

Language: Primary working language is English; French language skills are a strong asset and are highly encouraged

Reports to: Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors

Deadline to apply: June 9, 2023

CORE COMPETENCIES

The Executive Director will be a capable and effective leader who is committed to supporting 2SLGBTQI+ communities. The Executive Director will have demonstrable experience growing organizations, implementing strategic plans, fundraising, applying for grants, leading teams and organizing multi-day events or festivals. 

The following skills and experience are required:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in festival or event production and/or non-profit organizations
• Minimum 2 years experience managing staff and volunteers
• Experience with budget preparation and financial management
• Experience with venue management, negotiating vendor contracts, and coordinating artists
• Experience with media relations
• Event or festival marketing experience, including both traditional and digital marketing 
• Demonstrable success in sponsorship development, grant and proposal writing, and/or planned giving programs 
• Understanding of non-profit organizational governance and experience working with a volunteer Board of Directors
• Understanding of issues affecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQI+ community
• Reliable, self-motivated and able to work productively without supervision
• Excellent time-management skills 
• Strong communication skills

The following attributes are definite assets:

• Bilingualism (EN/FR)
• Experience negotiating and managing artist contracts 
• Familiarity with the National Capital Region’s 2SLGBTQI+ community including community organizations and groups

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leadership

• Provide leadership, direction and support to Capital Pride volunteers and staff through effective communication, goal-setting, delegation and performance evaluations
• Ensure Board members have timely, relevant and accurate information to fulfill their mandate and realize Capital Pride’s strategic plan
• Identify and develop annual priorities in conjunction with the Board of Directors
• Encourage harmonious relationships between the Board, staff, volunteers, and community members through effective communications

2. Event Planning and Execution

• Manage the organization of Winter Pride,the Summer Festival and year round programming. 
• Identify and book artists, speakers and performers for official Pride events with special consideration for those from underrepresented communities 
• Ensure event plans are executed within approved budgets 
• Lead Capital Pride’s participation in the City’s Special Event Advisory Team (SEAT), including festival site planning, emergency and risk planning and working with various municipal partners.
• Monitor event activities in order to ensure compliance with site regulations and local laws, satisfaction of event attendees and resolution of any problems that arise
• Ensure event plans fulfill partnership and grant obligations
• Coordinate with external suppliers and partners involved in event production
• Conduct post-event evaluations in order to determine how future events can be improved

3. Financial Management

• Ensure sound financial management and control, budget preparation and forecasting in accordance with all pertinent legislation and policy
• Develop annual operating budget in collaboration with the Board of Directors’ Treasurer for Board approval
• Manage the efficient and effective use of the organization’s resources
• Act as a signing authority for Capital Pride

4. Sponsorship and Grants

• Manage Capital Pride’s sponsorship program, including both cash and in-kind sponsorships. 
• Identify grant opportunities and develop high-quality grant applications

5. Administration and Governance

• Act as the official point of contact for all inquiries.
• Participate in board and committee meetings, including preparing monthly board reports. 
• Prepare comprehensive post-Festival reports each year, for both WinterPride and the Summer Festival
• Attend and report at Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings 

6. Communication and Community Engagement

• Oversee Capital Pride’s internal and external communications including media relations, social media, and marketing efforts.
• Direct the development of WinterPride and the Summer Festival’s marketing and promotions plans, including both local marketing and tourism destination marketing
• Develop and carry out media relations strategy, including production of media releases, coordination of interviews with organizational spokespeople and occasional media interviews as required
• Identify opportunities for community partnerships and perform outreach activities to strengthen Pride’s relationship with community groups. 
• Represent Capital Pride at community events, on local and regional committees, networks or initiatives, as required 
• Maintain a positive image and relationship with local, provincial and federal governments and departments, and other external stakeholders

7. Staff and Volunteer Management

• Manage staff team (summer staff team, other full-time staff and contractors) 
• Recruit, train and lead a dedicated team of volunteers to execute WinterPride, the Summer Festival and all Capital Pride events

Capital Pride believes in work led by and for our communities. As part of our commitment to equity, indigenization, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression we encourage applications from queer individuals, trans and non-binary people, Indigenous, Black and people of colour (IBPOC) individuals, Two-Spirit people, people living with HIV, people living with Hepatitis C, disabled people, 2SLGBTQI+ women, and other people with fabulous and diverse identities and experiences.

Capital Pride creates opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Canada’s capital region.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your application to [email protected] and put the job you are applying for in the subject line (Executive Director).

Deadline is June 9, 2023

All applicants are required to provide: 1) a cover letter explaining how they meet the requirements of this position; and 2) an up-to-date resume. Applications received without all the required documents may not be considered.

We appreciate all applicants’ enthusiasm for the role. Only those selected for an interview will be notified.

ACCESSIBILITY 

If this process presents barriers to access, please email us at [email protected] with the subject line “Access: Executive Director Application” to discuss alternative formats for submitting an application.

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Summer Festival Jobs

Capital Pride is seeking to fill the following full-time summer positions to help coordinator the 2023 Summer Festival:

• Operations and Logistics Coordinator 
• Volunteer and Events Coordinator 

Applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] no later than 5pm on Monday, April 17, 2023. Questions may be directed to [email protected].

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 2023;
• 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.

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Ottawa, ON – After the conclusion of another successful Winter Pride, Capital Pride held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on February 25, during which the Board of Directors strategized for the year ahead and elected the following slate of officers for its 2023-2024 Executive Committee:

• Victoria Wang (she/they) Co-Chair
• Francesco MacAllister-Caruso (he/they) Co-Chair
• Jonathan Généreux (he/him) Treasurer
• Sean Addis (he/him) Secretary
• Taib Boyce (he/him) Equity and Inclusion Office

“Capital Pride is eager to welcome community members back to our events for yet another year,” said Co-Chair Francesco MacAllister-Caruso. “Building on our organization’s four pillars, our team is hard at work to bring you programming that will celebrate, advocate, educate and connect all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ and allied communities in the National Capital Region.”

“As we head into the warmer months, Capital Pride will present different opportunities for community members to get involved and come together,” explained Co-Chair Victoria Wang. “Between a new round of Board recruitment, fundraisers and networking events, drag shows, speaker panels, and our regular festival programming, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.”

Preparations for the rest of the year’s events are already underway, including for the 2023 Summer Festival which will take place from August 19 to 27. Capital Pride is eager to welcome 2S/LGBTQ+ people and allies alike to the National Capital Region to celebrate everything that our diverse and colourful communities have to offer. Information regarding festival sponsorship is available now by contacting [email protected]. Registration for the street fair and parade will open in May.  

Capital Pride creates opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Canada’s National Capital Region.

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Capital Pride joins with other organizations across the country to recognize and celebrate human rights activist Fae Johnstone. Fae is the Executive Director of Wisdom2Action and a powerful advocate for trans liberation and 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Fae has a long history of involvement in the National Capital Region, where she helped to promote the rights and well-being of trans and non-binary people through workshops, keynote speeches, op-eds, and community events. Our region simply wouldn’t be the same without Fae’s courageous leadership and tireless advocacy.

In recognition of her achievements, Fae has been featured in a new International Women’s Day campaign by Hershey Canada – Her for She. The campaign highlights Fae’s work and that of other women who are helping to build a better  future. You can learn more about the four other women featured in the campaign here.

This honour has been met with a repulsive campaign of hate against Fae and calls to boycott Hershey. Such acts are the latest in a long-running crusade of transphobia that seeks to silence trans and gender-diverse activists and punish organizations that uplift their work. Capital Pride condemns these transphobic bullies and the organizations who amplify their gross conduct.

Let us all be inspired by Fae Johnstone’s accomplishments and recommit ourselves to creating a world where everyone can live as their honest and authentic selves.

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We are proud to partner once again with the National Arts Centre and Ottawa Public Library to present Drag Storytime. We remain focused on working to create a respectful and safe space for families, performers and community partners, in order to prevent and limit any disruptions on site.

Over the past year, 2SLGBTQ+ community events throughout Ontario and in other parts of the country have been targeted in an attempt to intimidate and silence event organizers, drag artists and 2SLGBTQ+ families and community members. These actions are part of a longstanding campaign to vilify queer and trans people and our communities.

We will not be intimidated. Our event will move forward as planned.

We also welcome the efforts of Community Solidarity Ottawa and other community members who are planning to show up in support of our Drag Storytime on Wednesday. You can read more about the solidarity action here. 

Together, we will make sure that love is louder than hate.

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2SLGBTQ+ community and allies invited to celebrate Pride on world’s longest skating rink

Ottawa, ON – Today Capital Pride announced its inaugural Ice Parade, taking place during Winterlude as part of Winter Pride events. The Ice Parade, Canada’s first-ever Pride parade on ice, will kick-off at 4 p.m. on the Rideau Canal Skateway near the Laurier Street Bridge on Sunday, February 12, 2023. ending at the Fifth Avenue Rest Area in The Glebe.

The ice-parade will feature live music and DJ set by BLK PRL, local drag performers on skates, and Capital Pride’s 30-foot Progress Pride Flag carried by players from Ottawa Pride Hockey. Festival-goes, Community members and allies are invited to meet at the start of the parade, in skates or on foot, or join in along the route.

“Capital Pride creates opportunities for the community to celebrate and advocate for progress locally and around the world. I can’t think of a more iconic way to bring the community together than on the world’s largest skating rink,” says Toby Whitfield, Capital Pride Executive Director.

“Winterlude is back! From February 3 to 20, get outside and take part in this great Canadian tradition with family and friends. Across Canada’s Capital Region, people can take part in a variety of festivities that give them a chance to celebrate the cultural and artistic diversity, as well as the Indigenous cultures and artists, that make our country so rich. This year, I also invite you to participate in the Winter Pride events organized by Capital Pride, including the first-ever Pride Ice Parade,” says The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

In-person programming returns to Winter Pride from February 3 to 20, including outdoor drag shows on Sparks Street, family interactive rainbow ice mosaics, a Queer Black Excellence Showcase, drag storytime and other family programming, a silent disco and a Winter Pride Drag Show. This year’s Winter Pride is presented in partnership with Winterlude.

Capital Pride celebrates the rich and diverse 2SLGBTQ+ community in the National Capital Region. Our mission is to create opportunities to advocate, educate and connect people through programming and events in partnership with our partner community groups, businesses, and sponsors.

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Capital Rainbow Refuge on hand to celebrate this year’s theme: All Together Now

Ottawa, On – Flanked by members and allies of the 2SLBGTQ+ community, Capital Pride Executive Director Toby Whitfield and Co-Chairperson Geneviève Colverson raised the Progress Pride Flag at Ottawa City Hall today. The Progress Pride Flag features black and brown stripes to represent 2SLBGTQ+ people of colour, the colors pink, light blue and white to represent the trans community, along with the 6 colours of the rainbow. 

“Today we mark the start of the Capital Pride Festival by raising both the Progress Pride Flag and the visibility of the 2SLGBTQ+ community across the National Capital Region,” said Toby Whitfield. Geneviève Colverson added, “Pride honours the victories won to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community – and we continue to advocate for progress locally and around the world. Our communities are stronger when we are all together.”

In August, Capital Pride announced Capital Rainbow Refuge as the inaugural Honoured Group for 2022. Speaking on the group’s behalf today, Durjoy Rahman recalled his lived experience as a beneficiary of their work to support and sponsor 2SLBGTQ+ refugees who resettle in Canada. “I feel free to be myself here in Canada,” said Rahman. “I live in a community that values and accepts me for who I am. This is what I am celebrating this year.”

Today’s Flag Raising marks the beginning of Pride Week: eight action-packed days of programming including six public art installations, an expanded Festival Weekend, and annual Pride Parade. This year’s theme All Together Now is an invitation to celebrate the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the National Capital Region.

Capital Pride celebrates the rich and diverse 2SLGBTQ+ community in the National Capital Region. Our mission is to create opportunities to advocate, educate and connect people through programming and events in partnership with our partner community groups, businesses, and sponsors.

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Capital Pride’s Community Project Fund supports local community groups and individuals who organize events and activities that further one (or more) of Capital Pride’s objectives: education, advocacy, connection or celebration. The Fund provides grants of up to $1000 allowing groups to enhance or develop events taking place during the Festival.

Applicants organizing events or programming that serves marginalized and/or traditionally underrepresented communities within the LGBTQ2+ community were encouraged and prioritized. These include events or programming for trans people, non-binary people, racialized people, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, migrants, and people from other marginalized communities.

We are pleased to recognize the following groups who have received support from Capital Pride’s 2022 Community Project Fund.

Trans Community Picnic

Presented by: Rainbow Ottawa Student Experience
August 20^th, 2022
5:00PM – 8:00 PM
Vincent Massey Park – 701 Heron Road

About this project:

The event will be a community picnic for the trans, non-binary, and gender diverse community providing a time to relax, recuperate, and heal from a day of activism. The goal is to provide food, and have 1-3 speakers to provide inspiring and reassuring words at a very difficult time and turning point in the world for the trans community. We’ll be coordinating with other community organizers to have trans-specific postering and chalking happening downtown as a lead up to our event.

Soirée de Drag dans le Vieux-Hull

Presented by: Jeunesse Idem
August 25^th, 2022

About this project:

Last year, Jeunesse Idem planned a free drag show in downtown Hull and it was such a success that we want to do it again. A stage will be installed in the center of rue Laval, a pedestrian and commercial street, and the public will be able to attend the performances of several drag queens, from the street or from the terrace of one of the restaurants/bars in the area. Last year, the majority of the spectators came for the show, but a significant part of the crowd was made up of people who simply planned to go out downtown pleasantly surprised by the show, we expect that this is still the case this year. Ideally, the free show encourages a lot of curious people to come and discover the art of drag. We had several hundred attendees last year and expect to have even more now that the pandemic is less present in our lives. The animation will be done in French, allowing French-speaking Quebecers to feel included in the Pride celebrations in the capital.

En français, svp

Presented by: Open world production
August 24^th, 2022
7:00PM – 10:00PM
2265 Robertson Road, Nepean

About this project:

A 100% francophone drag show at Kichessipi Beer Co. with performers from the region who can perform and interact with the audience in French. Our special guest will be Uma Gahd, Montreal-based drag star who is from our area. The event will be hosted by Adrianna Exposée and will feature Elle Faekwa?, Ruby Foxglove, Caligula. All proceeds will be donated to Northern Lights Refuge, an organization sponsoring LGBTQ+ refugees to Canada.

Prism; Capital Pride Edit

Presented by: Osgoode Youth Association
August 26^th, 2022
6:00PM – 10:00PM
Osgoode Youth Association – 5479 Osgoode Street, Ottawa

About the Project:

O-YA is located in rural south Ottawa, where there are no existing services for 2SLGTBQ+ youth. But, we know there is a need! Currently, O-YA runs a Teen Drop In program, and a significant number of our teen participants are part of the 2SLGTBQ+ community. The remainder of our participants, and all of our staff are 2SLGTBQ+ allies. We have applied for funding from Bell Let’s Talk for an 2SLGTBQ+ program called Prism. While we await news of this funding, it would be great to try out a ‘mini version’ of the Prism program during Capital Pride week in the form of a fun event called Prism; Capital Pride Edit. Prism; Capital Pride Edit will take place on Friday, August 26 from 6 pm – 10 pm. In advance, the event will be well promoted through O-YA’s existing social media / website / email newsletter / in person marketing. We hope to register up to 20 youth in Grades 7 – 12 from rural south Ottawa, at an event cost of $10 / per person. For Prism, O-YA staff will transform the O-YA space in a fun and friendly Pride theme. When guests arrive, they will enjoy interactive entertainment stations where they can decorate cookies, paint, create a fun Pride sign for O-YA, and make our signature event mocktail (with cotton candy, of course!) and create a DIY appetizer. Guests will then be treated to entertainment. We are currently working with the Pride folks in North Greenville to help us with entertainment. But, we are hoping for a youth friendly drag BINGO or drag show. We will have music, a disco ball and a dance stage to cap the evening off. And, all of our guests will go home with a Pride themed swag bag (which will include Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health resources; www.ruralottawayouth.ca). A key part of our event will be that we are inviting Ottawa Public Health to be present at the event to answer questions and provide information specific to the 2SLGTBQ+ youth community.

ACB Block Party: Take Back the Block!

Presented by: AIDS Committee of Ottawa
August 21^st, 2022
Jack Purcell Park – 19 Main Street, Ottawa

About the Project:

Hosting events during Pride month that centre BIPOC communities is crucial to QTBIPOC community building in Ottawa. BIPOC and specifically ACB (African, Caribbean, and Black) events are hosted annually in nearby major cities like Montreal and Toronto, and it’s time for Ottawa to do the same. This block party would serve as a performing arts space, community space, and an HIV rapid testing opportunity for Black folks during pride week. We’re hoping to reach Black 2SLGBTQ+ folks who are not already connected with our year-round programming at the AIDS Committee of Ottawa. African, Caribbean, and Black communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS – 60% of new HIV diagnoses amongst women in particular are ACB women. Gender diverse folks and 2SLGBTQ+ people (in particular, gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men) are also disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. During pride week, it’s our responsibility to create celebratory spaces while also meeting the year-round healthcare needs of priority populations. And so – we’d like to take back the block.

Pride Dance 2022

Presented by: Ottawa Date Squares
August 27^th, 2022
1:30PM – 4:30PM
Jack Purcell Community Centre, room 203A – 320 Jack Purcell Lane

About the Project:

The Ottawa Date Squares is an LGBTQ+ square dance club founded in 1995 that teaches a brand of high energy dance moves set to modern music. We are hosting a Pride Square Dance on August 27, 2022. This intro to gay square dancing is free to all who wish dress in their favourite pride attire, enjoy festive music and celebrate who we are and learn something new at the same time.

Francopositif

Presented by: Action Positive VIH/SIDA
August 27^th, 2022
Gay village (Bank & Somerset)

About the Project:

A show hosted by Sophie Stiquée with drag performances to highlight queer and BIPOC artists from Canada and the global francophone communities. A dj set will be followed by performances by queer and and bipoc francophone artists to introduce the community to francophone electronic music by queer and BIPOC artists.

Bliss Pride Party

Presented by: Lez Go
August 26^th, 2022 8:00PM – 1:00AM
Queen St. Fare – 170 Queen Street

About the Project:

Lez Go is Ottawa’s newest lesbian+ events group (lesbian, bi, trans, non-binary, 2 spirit et al. are welcome). We started the group 3 months ago and now have just under 1500 members in our private Facebook group. Our Launch Party was on May 27th and we had 260 people in attendance. We are having another big party on Aug. 26th during Pride week. We are bringing in two DJs (and looking into belly dancers). Ticket prices will depend on sponsorship.                            

ACB HIV Prevention

Presented by: Somerset West Community Health Centre
August 27^th, 2022
55 Eccles Street, Ottawa

About the Project:

The “rooted workshop” is intended for folks to slow down, and support their mental health through plants. Folks will also have the opportunity to connect including a session about mental and sexual health.

Abolishing Tuition & Advocating for Black, Indigenous, and Racialized Students’ Right to Free & Safe Education

Presented by: C.E.D.A.R Care Collective
August 27^th, 2022

About the Project:

A new Collective of Black, brown, Indigenous, queer folks who are struggling for the abolition of tuition in what is currently called Canada; we operate primarily on the unceded and unsurrendered territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg. Our goal of this event is to share our Collective’s work with the community and build networks with other BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ groups organizing in this geographical region. At our booth we will also be hosting a ‘pay what you can’ clothing drive. The goal of the clothing drive is to continue our work of extending and building bonds of community care.

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OTTAWA – Following two years of virtual celebrations, today Capital Pride is pleased to announce the return of the Capital Pride Festival from Sunday, August 21, to Sunday, August 28, 2022. This year’s festival theme is All Together Now and speaks to the community reuniting to celebrate and advocate.

“Planning is well underway for our 2022 Capital Pride Festival and we look forward to hosting  8 days of great programming for the entire community,” said Toby Whitfield, Executive Director of Capital Pride. “We hope this year’s Festival will be an opportunity to come together to celebrate but also that it will serve as a platform for continued advocacy for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”

Today the following new programming and plans for an expanded Festival Weekend can also be announced: 

• A new public art project will take place throughout the week and feature art installations reflecting this year’s theme, All Together Now! 
• The annual Capital Pride Pageant is on the move, now taking place at Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre on Thursday, August 25 with contestants competing to be crowned the next Ms. Capital Pride, Mr. Capital Pride and Mx. Capital Pride. 
• Festival Weekend returns to Bank Street from Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28 with three nights of live entertainment, an expanded street festival and a new Family Zone at Dundonald Park. 
• Festival Weekend will feature live entertainment across three stages: the TD Main Stage at Bank Street & Slater Street, the Somerset DJ Stage at Bank Street and Somerset Street, and a Community Stage at Bank Street & Laurier Street. 

About the 2022 Theme: All Together Now!

This year’s theme “All Together Now” is an invitation to the community to celebrate and advocate. The Capital Pride Festival brings our communities together. After a challenging two years, we are excited to celebrate All Together Now! This is our opportunity to reconnect and celebrate the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community!  

At the same time, Pride is rooted in activism. When we come together, we reflect on the challenges our communities face and the progress that has been achieved—and we continue to advocate for action locally and around the world.  

Our communities are stronger when we are all together.

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The mission of Capital Pride / Fierté dans la Capitale is to create opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Canada’s capital region, on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. Capital Pride is committed to reflecting the perspectives of the communities we serve.

As we navigate into new territory for the 2022 Capital Pride Festival we have a reinvigorated focus to create community connections and bring forth festival programming that will benefit the National Capital Region’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities. For this reason we have conducted a community consultation process to gather input from 2SLGBTQ+ community members and organizations in order to:

1. assess how beneficial, accessible, and enjoyable Capital Pride’s events and initiatives are to 2SLGBTQ+ people in Ottawa and Gatineau;
2. identify areas of the festival programming that need improvement, especially within the focuses of family programming and BIPOC programming;
3. assess the impact and assess any concerns in regards to potential locations for the 2022 Capital Pride Festival; and
4. explore new ideas and opportunities that will contribute to its mission.

This report will summarize the input gathered from the online survey and outline the steps that Capital Pride will be taking to incorporate, with its finite resources, the feedback and ideas from the community and local 2SLGBTQ+ organizations.

The first three sections describe the methodology we employed (‘What We Did’), the groups who participated (‘Who We Heard From’), and the results of the survey (‘What We Heard’). The final section, ‘What We Will Be Doing’ outlines the future commitments Capital Pride is undertaking to improve its events, relationships with communities, organizations and accessibility. The survey questions are also included at the end of the report [Appendix 1].

Capital Pride remains committed to community outreach and engagement with 2SLGBTQ+ communities. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to complete our survey and offer their insights to help guide Capital Pride’s planning process for the 2022 festival. Engaging with community partners is a continuous process and we shall continue to reach out, engage in conversations and listen to the diverse voices of the National Capital Region’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

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Operations Team Recruitment

Team Leads help to plan and execute various parts of the Capital Pride Festival. Team Leads are part of the Operations Team and report to the Executive Director. A group of Festival Week Volunteers will be assigned to many of the teams.  

Team Leads will volunteer approximately 10-20 hours a month, with additional hours in the immediate lead-up to and during the Festival. Organization wide team meetings take place monthly and include all team leaders. Team Leads must be available throughout Festival Weekend (August 26 – 28, 2022). 

Current Opportunities: 

• Family Pride Team
• Fundraising Team
• Parade Team 
• Pageant Team 
• Street Fair Team
• Accessibility Team
• Artist Relations Team 
• Food & Beverage Team
• Media Relations Team 
• Social Media Team 
• Stage Manager (Community Stage) 

Interested in joining the team? Please complete our application form and submit a resume here. The deadline to apply is July 6, 2022 although applications may be reviewed as they are received.

1-1 virtual appointments, sign-up via Calendly: Link Here

Additional questions? Contact [email protected] 

Kindly note that Festival Week Volunteer positions will be posted June 13. Sign-up here to receive more information about festival week volunteers and to be notified once the positions are posted.

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Ottawa community members are the ongoing targets of hate speech, hate crimes, and harassment from participants in the downtown Ottawa convoy. As disruptions continue throughout downtown Ottawa, there continues to be reports of community members being the target of hate speech, hate crimes and harassment. 

Ottawa’s Centretown has a long and proud history of being a home for LGBTQ activism and community. Today, residents are afraid to leave their homes, and have been subject to intimidation and harassment for displaying the pride flag in their homes and in their neighbourhoods. When residents do walk their streets, they are faced with homophobic and transphobic slurs and signs. Even online, Ottawans have been the target of harassment. These troubling events occurred alongside widely reported incidents of harassment, racism, anti-Semitisim and other troubling and violent conduct.

As a consequence of the ongoing disruptions, front-line community organizations — including health services — have had to limit services or suspend operations. We recognize this has a profound impact on 2SLGBTQ+ people as well as all residents and community members.

Demonstrations that allow such hateful conduct to go unchecked have no place in our city. 

There is nothing peaceful about homophobia and transphobia, racism, xenophobia, or anti-Semitism. There is nothing peaceful about the forced closure of front-line health centres and community services. There is nothing peaceful about schools, vaccination clinics and city services having to close. There is nothing peaceful about the emotional and psychological impact of being harassed in your own community.

Those who live, work and learn downtown deserve to feel safe and supported in their own community. Individuals should have access to health care services and front-line community services. Families should have access to childcare and schools.

It is time to restore peace in our City.

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This February, Capital Pride is proud to present Queer, Trans, Black and Proud a month of programming that celebrates and honours the Queer and Trans Black community. The programming is being organized in recognition of Black History Month. 

A variety of events will take place each week including a panel discussion featuring a Black leader within the 2SLGBTQ+ community;  a youth art workshop in partnership with the Ottawa Art Gallery;  a night of music, drag and performances; a keynote event with Canadian writer and activist Kim Katrin Milan; and a performance by Canadian artist Desiire as part of the NAC’s Friday’s at the Fourth. Further details and a full line-up of events is online at capitalpride.ca.

Recognizing the evolving nature of COVID-19, we anticipate some events will be delivered virtually while it is hoped that events later in the month will be delivered in a hybrid format. All programming will align with public health guidance and details will be shared in the lead-up to each individual event.

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