It has been 22 years since Peterborough’s former mayor Sylvia Sutherland officially declared September 13 as Gay Pride Day, empowering around 300 participants to join the first Pride parade in downtown Peterborough.
Since then, Pride Week has been celebrated in Peterborough every September, and Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride is gearing up for 10 days worth of Pride celebrations, with more than 30 community-run, virtual, and in-person gatherings from Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 28.
“The ever-expanding support from the greater community has been nice to see as it leads to greater safety and well-being for members of the 2SLGBTQIA communities,” Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride committee member Rick Lambert told kawarthaNOW about the changes over the past two decades.
“The increasing number and diversity of events and participation every year and the impact beyond the 10 days of Pride Week is encouraging. Beyond Pride Week, the way the 2SLGBTQIA communities are working together to build services to meet their needs is also great.”
There have been strides but there’s more work to be done, Lambert noted, and it begins by embracing the theme of this year’s Pride Week, which is “All of Us or None.”
“This powerful phrase speaks to the interconnectedness of our struggles and our liberation,” notes a media release from Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride.
“It reminds us that true progress doesn’t happen unless it includes everyone — especially those most often pushed to the margins. When any part of our community is under attack, we are all called to respond. None of us are free until all of us are free. We invite everyone to embrace the theme of Pride Week and make it their own.”
Events during Pride Week are intended to provide a safe and accepting environment for participants to gather, share ideas, speak their minds, support each other, and have fun.
Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Events Calendar
Pride Week officially launches at 12:15 p.m. on Friday, September 19 at Peterborough’s City Hall in downtown Peterborough with Mayor Jeff Leal reading the city’s proclamation of Pride Week and the progressive Pride flag being raised.
Events continue throughout the week, with one highlight the New Stages Theatre’s presentation of “A Public Display of Affection,” written and performed by Jonathan Wilson, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 20 at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough.
“Fresh off its smash-hit run in Toronto in the spring, Jonathan performs a staged reading of his fabulous and deeply personal play,” reads New Stages Theatre’s description of the show. “Mixing history, comedy, and poignant reflection in equal measure, A Public Display of Affection excavates the lives, loves, and landmarks of Jonathan’s queer youth on the streets of Toronto.”
Another highlight is the Lakefield Pride Picnic, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 21 at Cenotaph Park in Lakefield. The family-friendly outdoor event features singer-songwriter and fiddler Melissa Payne, drag performer and storyteller Betty Baker, children’s activities including a bouncy castle, a march through town, food, local crafts, community booths, and more.
This year’s Trans Day of Resiliency, also known as the Trans March, takes place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 26. This event is for all trans, non-binary, and gender diverse people, as well as those who are exploring their gender, with friends, family, and allies of the community also welcome. Attendees are asked to gather at Millennium Park beside the Silver Bean Cafe to create signs for the march, which begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a community social with pizza.
Pride Week culminates on Saturday, September 27 with the Pride Parade, which departs from City Hall at around 1 p.m. and proceeds south to Millennium Park for the family-friendly Pride in the Park event, which runs until about 5:30 p.m. and features performers, information booths from groups and agencies that support the queer community, vendors and food, a beer and beverage tent, and a family and children’s area.
Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride invites residents and business owners to decorate their homes and businesses to help signal a welcoming community where nobody needs to feel alone or unsafe.
According to Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride, the annual Pride Week celebration involves time and effort from many volunteers and support from the city, community organizations, unions, local businesses, and the broader community.
Lambert said the best possible outcome of Pride Week would include having all members of the 2SLGBTQIA community in the Peterborough area “feel welcome and connected to others in a positive way.”
“We hope that folks are able to build on the connections they make during Pride to help them build community and thrive year-round,” Lambert said. “The theme of Pride Week, All of Us or None, points to this imperative to build community where everyone has their needs met. Of course, we also hope everyone enjoys the events and the weather is great for the parade and other outdoor events.”
For more information about Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride Week 2025, including this year’s theme and an events calendar, visit www.peterboroughpride.ca.
According to the website, Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride exists to support and celebrate people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, “to honour and give thanks to those who have come before us and contribute to the resilient spirit and courage of the present struggle for our human rights.”
“We promote a justice seeking future through education and advocacy so that all may participate fully in the life and work of the city of Peterborough and surrounding area with safety, dignity and respect.”
