Pride: Together yet Apart

Iman Janmohamed explores the creative approaches taken by Pride organizations across the globe, as parades, balls, and movie screenings have been postponed. However, the outbreak of a pandemic has not prevented LGBT+ individuals from celebrating their identity, as numerous campaigns have been launched online. Many of these online programmes have an especial focus on people of colour within the LGBT+ community. This article also explores the significance of the term "two-spirit": a word that has only recently become widespread, and is unique to indigenous tribes.

The novel coronavirus has transformed the way society functions; people all over the world have had to adapt to online learning, working, and entertainment. Nearly 150,000 students in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada have had to transition to online learning since mid-March. This new way of life has not only impacted education and businesses, but it has also impacted the worldwide Pride Month celebrations.

June is known to many as “Pride Month”; a time where the LGBTQIA2S+ community can celebrate the change they have made and seen in the world. Pride Month is celebrated in June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of 1969, which sparked the Gay Rights Movement and the Gay Liberation Front in the United States of America. The LGBTQIA2S+ acronym is an umbrella term that includes the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit community. Two-Spirit refers to an individual who identifies as having both a feminine and masculine spirit, and is coined from the Anishinaabemowin Indigenous term “Niizh Manidoowag”.

Individuals in the LGBTQIA2S+ community are more likely to face health issues and social taboos. These conditions leave the LGBTQIA2S+ community to be more susceptible to be negatively impacted by the novel coronavirus, according to the National LGBT Cancer Network. Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) stated that “LGBTQ people have increased risk factors for COVID-19, including higher HIV and cancer rates, higher rates of smoking, and increased risk of homelessness,” As Pride month comes to a close, many organizations have had to modify and transform their pride events to accommodate the COVID-19 crisis.

The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) is based on the “unceded, occupied, traditional, and ancestral territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw {Squamish), and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations’ people." As to repay the indigenous tribes on whose land they opeare, the VPS pays all Elders for their knowledge and time, provides decolonial training for all staff, and aim to amplify the most marginalised voices.

The VPS has stated that some events including Quests & Queers with TheGMTim, game nights, and My Name was January Film Screening with Sher Vancouver would be rescheduled for the coming summer and fall months. The annual Unicorn Ball has been cancelled, which leaves the VPS without major funding sources for their bursary program. The VPS community has also worked to celebrate Pride via virtual means for the LGBTQIA2S+ community, including online LGBT+ yoga, writers showcases, anti-racism workshops, and drag show events. Further, the VPS is working towards implementing more QTBIPOC programming. QTBIPOC is an acronym for Queer and Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour. Currently, a Pride Pool Party, Parade Section, and Talent Show are in the works but have been postponed due to the COVID-19 situation.

Pride Toronto has also adapted its Pride plans, as to go virtual. They have introduced weekly events, that included ASL programming, trivia nights, and other various workshop activities to encourage “community engagement”, alongside “Stay Home Saturdays” and Festival Weekend. These aim to showcase a wide variety of LGBTQIA2S+ talent, as well as bringing the scheduled Pride events to you virtually. Pride Toronto increased BIPOC Programming as to amplify the voices of BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ individuals during Pride Month and amidst the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement.

The accommodation of Pride events, not just in Canada, but worldwide, showcases the resilience of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. On behalf of Doorstep News, Happy Pride Month. For further details regarding rescheduled events, visit the Vancouver Pride Society and Pride Toronto websites.

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