June is Pride Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the diversity, strength, and resilience of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
At FIREFLY, we are committed to fostering inclusive, respectful, and affirming environments where children, youth, and families feel safe to be their authentic selves. We recognize that identity, belonging, and acceptance are closely connected to wellbeing, and we strive to ensure our services reflect those values in meaningful and everyday ways.
We also acknowledge that inclusion is ongoing work. Across Northwestern Ontario and beyond, members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community continue to face barriers and exclusion related to homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia. Pride Month is both a celebration and a reminder of the importance of continued learning, advocacy, and action.
We are proud to stand in support of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, not only in June, but throughout the year as we continue to build safe, welcoming spaces grounded in compassion and respect.
Looking to join in or show your support? See below for a list of events in our region and nearby. Know of an event to add? Please add a comment at the bottom or email us at [email protected].
Ways to Be an Ally
At FIREFLY, allyship is something we show in everyday moments: how we speak with people, how we listen, and how we help create spaces where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to be themselves. It’s an important part of providing inclusive, affirming care for 2SLGBTQQIA+ children, youth, families, and colleagues.
Allyship is a journey, and it’s okay to be learning along the way. Looking for ways to show support, learn more, or have questions about being an ally? The Human Right Campaign Foundation has created a report title Being an LGBTQ+ Ally. Click here to read the report and learn more about ways to support the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
Atikokan
- TBD
Fort Frances (Borderland Pride)
- June 8- Pride Celebration hosted by Giishkaandago Health Services includes mini parade, free grab and go dinner, resource tables, speakers, take home craft tables, inflatables, giveaways at Memorial Sports Centre, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Check out BorderlandPride on Facebook for more events and details
Kenora
- June 2- Flag Raising Ceremony at Kenora City Hall, 12:00 p.m.
- June 7- Knox United Church and St. Alban’s Anglican Cathedral host Pride Sunday Service, at the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion at the Harbourfront, 10 a.m. BYO coffee/tea. Dainties provided.
- June 27- Kenora Pride Rally & BBQ, time and location TBA
Red Lake
- TBD
Winnipeg
- June 6- Pride Winnipeg Festival, The Forks-Community Zone, 12 – 6 p.m.
- June 7- Pride Winnipeg Parade, Near the Legislative Building, 11:00 a.m.
- June 7- Pride Winnipeg Festival, The Forks- Community Zone, 12 – 6 p.m.
- June 8- Rainbow Resource Centre presents “Ask a Trans Person Anything”, Park Theatre, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Dryden (Rainbow Alliance)
- June 1 – Progress Pride Flag Raising at Dryden City Hall, 12:15 p.m.
- June 2 – 2SLGBTQQIA+ Drop-In Night at DRHC,5:00-6:30 p.m.
- June 12 – Pride BBQ at DNFC, 11:00-2:00 p.m.
- June 18 – Go-Getters Sponsored Lunch, 11:30 a.m.
- June 20 – *Iced* Coffee & Connect hosted with the Dryden Public Library at the library, 10 a.m. A queer classic twist on the Library’s “Coffee & Connect” event! This is a fun, low-pressure event to foster connection between Dryden’s queer community and allies. Come for a free iced coffee and some treats, chat with folks, make new friends, talk about books!
- June 24 – Rock Painting at Dryden Public Library, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- June 27 – Pride Opening Ceremony, Speeches and Pride March at Dryden City Hall,12 p.m.
- June 27 – Pride in the Park at Cooper Park, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
- Wednesdays all month- Queer Affirming Bible Study, evenings (virtual)
- All month, Pride Your Pet Photo Contest
- Looking for more details? Search RainbowAllianceDryden on Facebook!
Sioux Lookout (QuISL)
- July 31 to August 9 Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival – QuISL (Queers in Sioux Lookout)
Thunder Bay
- June 6- Pride Growing Together Festival has an incredible group of entertainers, vendors, and performances at the Friendship Gardens, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. More details and tickets can be found here: Thunder Pride | Support Inclusive Communities.
- June 13- Mamaweh Neebweedoah “Let’s Stand Together” Pow Wow, 150 Grandview Road, Thunder Bay,
- June 27- Two-Spirit and All Our Relations Coming Together Pow Wow Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre