June 1 marks the beginning of Pride Month, a month dedicated to 2SLGBTQI+ community members and allies coming together in recognition of the resilience and in celebration of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
Though not uncommon to be celebrated at other times of the year, Pride Month is typically held in June in memory of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in Manhattan, New York. When public solicitation of same-sex relationships were illegal in the 1960s, LGBT individuals flocked to gay bars and clubs, including the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.
In the early hours of June 28, 1969, the police raided the bar, violently handling and arresting people and employees suspected of cross-dressing. Angry patrons and neighbourhood residents watched in agitation before a full-blown riot began and the mob attempted to set fire to the building. The riot led to thousands of people joining a days-long uprising which would fuel the gay civil rights movement in the U.S. and around the world.
On the one-year anniversary, thousands of people marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park for the first Pride March. Today, Pride months, weeks, and days are a celebration of pride, but also an honour to members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities and those who faced and continue to face ongoing rights violations, discrimination, and violence.
Here are some events happening across the Kawarthas this Pride Month.
Haliburton County
VIDEO: “500 Days in the Wild” trailer
On Friday, June 7, Haliburton Highlands Secondary School is inviting the public to cheer on students as they run the track in support of 2SLGBTQ+ communities for the annual Colour Run. Ending a week of inclusive and celebratory pride events, the run will be held from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and will include an explosion of Pride powder.
Then, on June 13, the not-for-profit volunteer organization Those Other Movies presents “Queer Film Night” at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavillion for a screening of 500 Days in the Wild, the award-winning documentary by queer filmmaker Dianne Whelan, at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. The film documents six years of Whelan travelling across Canada, weaving in intimate moments of reflection and stories of people in the communities she met along the way.
For more information about these and other Pride events in Haliburton County, visit www.mindenpride.ca.
Peterborough
While Peterborough Pride is annually celebrated in the fall (running September 20 to 29 this year), City of Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal has officially proclaimed Pride Month in Peterborough during the month of June and there are a couple of events kicking off Pride Month on Saturday (June 1).
The El (P) restaurant is hosting a drag brunch featuring Betty Baker, Van Goth, and Magnolia Knox, with tunes spun by Sahira Q. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with the show at 11 a.m. Advance tickets are $20 and are available at eventbrite.com/e/882954630067.
Later at 6 p.m., Delta Bingo and Gaming (1019 Clonsilla Ave, Peterborough) is hosting “Drag Bingo: Show Your Pride” with entertaining performances by Madge Enthat and Divalicious, with cash prizes available to be won. Tickets are $40 general admission, with a VIP experience for eight guests costing $1,000. Tickets are available at eventbrite.ca/e/896458891677.
Northumberland County
Northumberland Pride is bringing no shortage of colour to the county with a lineup of events running throughout June.
Pride Month events include the Cobourg Pride festival and parade (June 1), PRIDE at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope — where the country’s top drag will come to the mainstage led by Juice Boxx from Canada’s Drag Race (June 6), a “Back to the 80’s Pride Prom” (June 7), and the Cirque De Slay, a circus-themed youth pride event (June 8).
On Friday, June 28 at 6 p.m., All Creatures Great and Small Cobourg is holding a dog-friendly (and dog-encouraged!) Pride walk, inviting the community to join together to raise awareness and spread love.
Further north, Trent Hills Pride is also hosting a week-long celebration including: an official rising of the flag at several locations across the region (May 31), storytime with Peterborough drag performer Betty Baker at the Warkworth Library (June 1), a Party in the Park at Mill Creek Park (June 1), a viewing of the cult-classic Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Aron Theatre in Campbellford (June 6), drag takeovers at local restaurants McGillicafey’s and Dockside Bistro (June 7), the Trent Hills Pride Festival (June 8), and Drag Queen Bingo at the Warkworth Legion (June 21).
Hastings County
Tweed & Company Theatre is celebrating Pride with a fun-filled night headlined by Juno award-winning singer and rapper Stacy Kay on the Bancroft Village Playhouse stage at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 21st.
Stacey Kay got the Golden Buzzer on Canada’s Got Talent and became a songwriter, producer, and singer with Canada’s Drag Race. A comedic podcast host and motivational speaker who spreads messages about body positivity, Stacey Kay will be performing alongside drag performers.
Tickets are $30 and aree available at villageplayhouse.ca/bancroft-pride-stacey-kay-and-friends.
City of Kawartha Lakes
Pride Month is only the start of the Pride celebrations that are happening throughout the season, with Kawartha Lakes celebrating Pride Week in July.
Kawartha Lakes Pride is well on their way to setting the schedule for their annual event running from July 8 to 14. Already announced events include Pride in the Park (July 12) at Maryboro Lodge Museum in Fenelon Falls, a family-friendly event featuring drag queen storytime, live DJs, a drag show and more, and the Proud Sounds concert and community picnic (July 13) at the Victoria Park Gazebo in Lindsay, bringing to the stage local 2SLGBTQ+ musical artists and allies.
More events will be announced soon. For updates, follow Kawartha Lakes Pride on Facebook at facebook.com/KawarthaLakesPride/.
