I wrote a piece a while back about gay square dancing, in which I mentioned that the LGBTQ+ community ought to be celebrated even after Pride month in June. And I meant what I said, so I’ve made a list of events you can go to that highlight and celebrate Ottawa LGBTQ+ Pride.
Pride Night Market (August 19, 5–9pm)
Pride Night Market at the Parkdale Market gives 2SLGBTQIA + small business operators, artists, and performers their time to shine. You can expect upbeat music and plenty of snacks to go around! Events and spaces fully dedicated to this community are uncommon. Everyone and their second cousins can show up; this market is to be a warm and welcoming environment.
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Hammond Pride Party (August 20, 3–10pm)
This family-friendly day, organized by Hammond Golf and Country Club, is their second annual Pride Party with food, drinks, a vendors’ market, face-painting, giant yard games, and a dance party. Not only that, you can expect the ultimate drag show, hosted by the Devona Coe! Be sure to check out the online auction running from now till August 18 with items to bid on and collect on the day of the party.
Funds raised from this event will support Rainbow Railroad, a global non-profit organization that helps LGTBQ+ people facing persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. In a time when there are more displaced people than ever before, systemic homophobia and transphobia continue to affect members of the queer community. These factors either displace them in their own country or prevent them from escaping harm. This event is not only for celebration, but also for assistance: Their goal is to raise $10,000 through this event to help an LGBTQ+ person relocate to a safe environment.
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Pride Glide Roller Party (August 25, 5:30–8:30pm)
This fundraiser event is organized by the Ottawa Quad Rollerskating Club, a non-profit and volunteer-run organization dedicated to promoting recreational rollerskating in Ottawa. Every year, they throw a glide-your-pride party to celebrate Pride week in Ottawa, setting up in the large Norm Fenn gym at Carleton Athletics’ Ice House Building with plenty of music and rollerskating (obviously) for anyone in need of a good time!
Tickets are available online only through Eventbrite. If needed, skate rentals must be purchased and pre-booked as an add-on ticket no later than 30 hours before the event so volunteers can retrieve them from storage. (Don’t forget your socks!) Head and limb protection is strongly recommended for all and must be provided by the attendee. Safety equipment (helmets, pads, etc.) is not provided by the club. No matter your age or level, everyone is welcome!
CANFAR Pride Brunch + March (August 27, 10am–3:30pm)
The CANFAR Capital Legacy Project Pride Brunch invites anyone and everyone to their first-ever Ottawa Pride brunch and march! Take over Prohibition Public House for a pre-parade party filled with beverages, a brunch buffet, mesmerizing drag performance by Adrianna Exposée, and a fan-favourite t-shirt designer bar.
After the brunch, everyone will hit the Capital Pride Parade route, marching to raise awareness to end the HIV epidemic in Canada.
“The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research was founded in 1987 and aims to end Canada’s HIV epidemic by leading national strategies to increase prevention, testing, treatment and linkage to care, and to end HIV stigma,” Adam Mazerall, marketing member of CANFAR, tells me via email. “CANFAR has raised over $25 million to date and funded over 550 research and implementation projects across Canada.”
The Capital Pride Parade starts at the intersection of Somerset and Kent and travels along Kent to Laurier, east to Elgin. Everyone will continue south to Gladstone, finally ending at the corner of Gladstone and Bank.
Spaces are limited, so it’s first come, first served. Email amazerall@canfar.com by August 11 with your RSVP for the brunch and/or the march.
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March with Lez Go (August 27, 1–4pm)
Calling all those who identify as lesbian, trans, Two-Spirit, bi, poly, pan, and queer or questioning: Lez Go is participating in Ottawa’s Pride parade, and they’re looking forward to seeing you there!
The parade officially kicks off at 1pm, but many groups will not cross the starting line to begin their walk of the parade route until around 2pm. While they don’t know their assigned time until the day of the parade, you can check out their link to keep yourself updated. Marching groups enter the parade at the intersection of Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue. Tickets are free. You can also bring your kids!
The plan is to wear pink, purple, and/or white. You can wear your own shirts with those colours or buy Lez Go t-shirts for $30 (email info@lez-go.com to order), or reserve one through Eventbrite.
Note: Lez Go t-shirts are made by Bella + Canvas, which are 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton. Also, Michael’s is selling Gildan pink and purple women’s v-neck t-shirts for $7.99 and is offering a 30% off discount code online: 20230202
We know there are many Capital Pride events happening this month and these are just a sampling—tell us about any others in the comments or tag us on our social media accounts!
