Pride beyond the parade

The Winnipeg Jets Pride game has supported important work within the 2SLGBTQ+ community and this year, funds raised through the Pride jersey auction will continue to be directed to the Rainbow Resource Centre as well as newly support the Pride Winnipeg Resurgence Fund.

“Pride Winnipeg’s mandate has always been to put on a parade and festival but as the years have gone by, we realized the importance of the community’s visibility and spreading those pride celebrations as far and wide as we can in the province,” said Jenn Rands, Vice President of Advocacy with Pride Winnipeg.

Pride Winnipeg’s Resurgence Fund supports celebratory activities and initiatives outside of Manitoba’s capital, organized by smaller and more rural groups that have less resources and visibility for fundraising and sponsorship. These grassroots initiatives are key to engaging groups and communities where there is traditionally less 2SLGBTQ+ resources, programming and awareness. Groups that have an expanded scope whether related to sports, recreation, culture or the arts, are also assisted in growing participation, awareness and a sense of belonging through the fund. More than $58,000 has been accessed through the fund since its inception in 2018, coinciding with Pride Winnipeg’s 30^th anniversary.

“The emphasis is on smaller communities and a lot of the initiatives we support directly benefit and are targeted toward youth,” Rands explained, adding that affirmation and visibility is particularly important within smaller and more conservative communities where acceptance is sometimes not as prevalent.

The fund has been able to support events like the Tri-Community Pride Parade and Festival in northern Manitoba which engaged more than 700 people from The Pas, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, the RM of Kelsey and surrounding areas in its inaugural 2022 event, resulting in increased visibility in those communities.

The Pembina Valley Pride celebration, also supported by the fund, is especially important to the local community as for many, the event is one of the only times members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community feel safe, seen and supported. Funds allowed for ASL interpretive services and security for the event.

Underrepresented sporting groups have also benefited from the fund, increasing visibility and encouraging participation within sports like ultimate frisbee (Pull for Pride Ultimate Frisbee Tournament), skateboarding (Pride Skate) and hiking (Pride Hike with Backcountry Women).

The Rainbow Harmony Project used Pride Winnipeg’s resurgence funds to build community through music by hosting an outdoor drop-in summer choir.

The impact of these grassroots initiatives on building relationships and rallying support within smaller geographic and special interest communities has been immeasurable for the rainbow community and for the growth of representation and allies within these groups, and more broadly.

“The more visibility that’s out there, the more educational opportunities arise as well, which is really important in ensuring that there’s diversity and equity in our communities.”