{"history":[],"article":{"id":"6080af39-de48-485a-88f0-789db823d041","title":"Capital Pride (Ottawa)","slug":"capital-pride-ottawa","content":":::summary\n![Parade marchers passing the Parliament Buildings during the Ottawa Pride parade on August 26, 2007](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Parade2007.jpg)\n**Name:** Ottawa Capital Pride \n**Native Name:** Fierté dans la capitale \n**Image Size:** 295px \n**Status:** Active \n**Genre:** Pride festival and [parade](https://bliptext.com/articles/pride-parade) \n**Begins:** August 17, 2024 \n**Ends:** August 25, 2024 \n**Frequency:** Annually, mid to late August \n**Location:** [National Capital Region](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-capital-region-canada) [Ottawa, Ontario](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa) [Gatineau, Quebec](https://bliptext.com/articles/gatineau) \n**Coordinates:** 45.42472°N, -75.695°W \n**Country:** Canada \n**Years Active:** 0 \n**First:** June 28, 1986 \n**Founder Name:** Gays of Ottawa (GO) \n**Prev:** August 19–27, 2023 \n**Next:** August 17–25, 2024 \n**Organised:** Pride Week Committee (since May 9, 1997) \n**Filing:** Not-for-Profit Corporation \n**Website:** [Ottawa Capital Pride](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined) \n:::\n\n# \n**[Ottawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa) Capital Pride** is an annual [LGBTQ](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbtq) pride event, festival, and [parade](https://bliptext.com/articles/pride-parade) held in [Ottawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa), [Ontario](https://bliptext.com/articles/ontario), [Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada), and [Gatineau](https://bliptext.com/articles/gatineau), [Quebec](https://bliptext.com/articles/quebec), from mid to late August.\nEstablished in 1986, it has evolved into a 7 to 9-day celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, advocating for equality, diversity, and inclusion in the [National Capital Region](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-capital-region-canada).\nThe festival offers bilingual events in English and French, known as 'Capital Pride / Fierté dans la capitale', seamlessly blending local pride with national importance.\nThe Ottawa Pride Parade, initiated in 1989 and now held on the fourth Sunday of August, has significantly expanded in size and impact.\nServing as a platform for [LGBTQ+ rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbt-rights-in-canada) and visibility, it has achieved notable milestones in legal victories and inclusivity initiatives.\nDespite facing challenges, including financial hardships and occasional controversies, Ottawa Pride remains a prominent symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and unity in the Ottawa community.\nIt also extends a warm welcome to 2SLGBTQIA+ diversity from around the world, bridging local and national pride with global significance.\n\n# Mission\nCapital Pride's mission is to create opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.\n\n# History\n\n## Emergence and Advocacy (1970s)\nAugust 28, 1971: About 100 people from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and surrounding areas gathered on Parliament Hill amidst pouring rain for the historic '[We Demand Rally](https://bliptext.com/articles/we-demand),' the first-ever protest in Canada advocating for [LGBT rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbt-rights-in-canada).\nTen demands for equal rights within the burgeoning queer community were presented.\nSeptember 14, 1971: A small group of gay men gathered for the first time, inspired by the We Demand protest.\nThis meeting led to a crucial development on October 13, 1971, when the Gays of Ottawa (GO) / Gai(e)s de l’Outaouais (GO) organization was formally established.\nGO emerged as Ottawa’s inaugural queer rights organization, advocating for LGBT rights, community education, and empowerment.\nMay 19 to 20, 1973: Gays of Ottawa (GO) hosted the inaugural national interprovincial conference of Gay Liberation groups in Canada.\nActivists from Quebec City, Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, Saskatoon, and Montreal gathered in Ottawa.\nOctober 15, 1974: Gays of Ottawa picketed the Immigration Department to protest screening policies discriminating against gays and lesbians seeking entry to Canada.\nBased in Ottawa they were frequently called on to wage the national battle for gay rights.\nOn October 23, the federal government changed its policy after the immigration minister met with GO officials.\nJuly 1, 1975: The National Gay Rights Coalition (NGRC) was founded at a national conference in Ottawa, with active involvement from Gays of Ottawa.\nThe NGRC emerged as a civil rights organization, aiming for the 'removal of all federal legislation which permits, condones, or encourages discrimination against homosexuals' and the 'implementation of legislatively guaranteed civil rights for gay people.'\nMay 22, 1976: The Ottawa Police conducted the city's first bathhouse raid at Club Baths, resulting in the arrest of 27 men on charges such as 'found-ins' and 'gross indecency.' Financial papers and a membership list with over 3,000 names were seized.\nSimilar raids occurred in Toronto and Montreal as part of a broader 'clean-up' campaign before the 1976 summer Olympics.\nMay 24, 1976: In response to the raid, Gays of Ottawa organized a press conference, followed by a protest at the Ottawa Police Headquarters at 60 Waller Street on May 28, with approximately 50 participants.\nDrawing lessons from the 1975 'Vice Ring' case, which tragically resulted in the death of Warren Zufflet, the Ottawa Citizen chose not to publish the names of the arrested individuals.\nFeb 16, 1979: A fire completely destroyed the Gays of Ottawa GO Centre, consuming the building along with the majority of paperwork, erasing much of the records from the first decade.\nFrom June 27 to July 2, 1979, the seventh annual Canadian Lesbian and Gay Rights Coalition (CLGRC) conference, titled \"Celebration '79: Celebrating Ten Years of Lesbian/Gay Liberation,\" took place in Ottawa with support from the Gays of Ottawa (GO).\nOver 200 delegates attended, and Mayor Marion Dewar designated June 27 as \"Human Rights Day.\"\nThe conference aimed to commemorate a decade of gay liberation in Canada, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the Omnibus Bill.\nHowever, the event received mixed reviews, marked by tensions between advocates of local grassroots action and those favouring a national strategy.\nHeated debates emerged on the issue of lesbian participation, mirroring broader discussions within the gay liberation movement and reflecting the evolving landscape of the Canadian LGBTQ+ rights movement during that period.\n\n## Evolution and Challenges (1980s)\nDuring the 1980s, Ottawa's lesbian and gay community experienced a unification.\nThe Gays of Ottawa (GO) saw greater female participation and membership.\nThis transformed GO into a co-sexual organization, empowering women in prominent roles.\nThe AIDS crisis further increased opportunities for women.\nHeidi McDonell notes that Ottawa's smaller size fostered closer collaboration between men and women.\nOn July 3, 1981, Barry Deeprose, a volunteer with Ottawa's Gayline, came across an unusual article on the organization's notice board.\nThe article, sourced from [The New York Times](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-new-york-times), July 3, 1981, 'Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals', highlighted a rare cancer found in gay men.\n'I had the sense that something dreadful had gone wrong,' Deeprose recalls.\nThe Gayline faced an influx of anxious callers seeking information about AIDS.\nOperators, while uncertain, advised callers to shower before sex and avoid engaging in sexual activities with individuals displaying skin lesions.\nBarry Deeprose recalls, \"People would be calling us to find out symptoms; people would be calling us with symptoms.\"\nOn August 24, 1982, Gays of Ottawa (GO) organized a public meeting with officials from Health and Welfare Canada's Laboratory Centre for Disease Control.\nAround seventy individuals attended seeking information, despite the limited knowledge available.\nOn September 11, 1982, [Mayor Marion Dewar](https://bliptext.com/articles/marion-dewar) cut the pink ribbon at Ottawa’s first feminist bookstore, the Ottawa Women’s Bookstore, symbolizing a period of growth in the women's community.\nThe mayor of Ottawa at that time was sincerely supportive of the lesbian and gay community.\nIn 1983, another emergency community meeting on AIDS at the Gays of Ottawa GO Centre drew a full house.\nDr. Gordon Jessamine, chief epidemiologist at the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control in Ottawa, shared early, reliable information about AIDS.\nGO activist Lloyd Plunkett noted, \"We had people standing in the hallways. They couldn't even see the speaker. People were really scared and wanted to know what was happening.\"\nIn 1983, Linda Wilson a 27-year-old chemist become the first female president of Gays of Ottawa (GO).\nShe passed a bylaw that mandated equal representation between men and women on the board.\nOn July 19, 1983, 28-year-old Peter Evans became Ottawa's first identified AIDS patient, publicly disclosing his diagnosis to counter the recent flood of media misinformation.\nDuring an August 28 radio show, Peter Evans engaged with host Bill Prankard, correcting misinformation and advocating for increased AIDS funding over shutting down establishments.\nPrankard suggested the epidemic might be a \"judgment of God,\" prompting Peter to highlight the broader impact on patients with cancer and multiple sclerosis.\nThe exchange led to complaints from Gays of Ottawa (GO) to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commission, citing the host's dissemination of false information and unbalanced coverage.\nOn October 1, 1983, the first AIDS Walkathon fundraiser took place, with Peter Evans leading the initial blocks of the walk.\nThe route stretched from Ottawa to Kingston, raising over $5,000.\nAs of October 13, 1983, there were 44 reported cases of AIDS in Ottawa, according to Dr. Clayton.\nAmong them, 40 cases involved men, and 4 cases involved women.\nIn November 1983, Gays of Ottawa (GO) co-founds the Ottawa-Hull Coalition against Bill C-157 and presents a brief on behalf of the Coalition for Gay Rights in Ontario (CGRO) to a Senate Committee examining Bill C-157 and federal government security provisions, including the RCMP and CSIS, which granted significant powers against the LGBT community.\nOn January 7, 1984, the LGBT community mourned the death of Peter Evans, Ottawa's first recorded AIDS casualty and the 35th Canadian reported to have died of AIDS.\nHe passed away at the Ottawa General Hospital, which later became a prominent AIDS treatment center for the region.\nJuly 9, 1985, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) was established as a community-based organization co-founded by Barry Deeprose and Bob Read to respond to the emerging HIV/AIDS crisis.\nThe ACO played a crucial role in providing support, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS in the Ottawa area.\nOn August 7, 1987, the organization achieved a milestone by officially incorporating as a non-profit charity, coinciding with increased funding availability.\nOn October 9, 1985, the inaugural community information meeting, led by Barry Deeprose and featuring Dr. Gilles Melanson, who was the first openly gay doctor in Ottawa, drew a full house.\nThe gathering occurred a month before the virus test became available in Canada, underscoring the attendees' palpable anticipation and concerns.\nIn 1986, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) initiated various educational campaigns to promote safe sex:\nThese multifaceted efforts reflect ACO's comprehensive strategy, combining condom distribution, visual campaigns, and engaging demonstrations to advocate safer sex practices and raise awareness about AIDS.\nEstablished in 1986, the [Canadian AIDS Society](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-aids-society) (CAS) emerged during the peak of the AIDS crisis with 16 initial members, including the AIDS Committee of Ottawa.\nInitially operating from a shared office in Edmonton, CAS achieved charitable status in 1988 and relocated to Ottawa.\nCAS serves as a national representative for its members, guided by the perspectives of people living with HIV/AIDS.\nIn May 1986, a gay student at Gloucester High School challenged homophobia by coming out in a letter to the school paper.\nMany students were outraged, and a petition was sent to the principal.\nOscar's letter was one of many courageous acts in which gay, lesbian and bisexual students were coming out in Ottawa.\n\n### First Pride Event\nOn June 28, 1986, Ottawa hosted its first lesbian and gay Pride event, where around 50 individuals gathered at [Strathcona Park](https://bliptext.com/articles/strathcona-park-ottawa) for a picnic organized by the members of Gays of Ottawa.\nThe event featured music, dancing, and vibrant balloons adorned with messages such as 'gay pride' and gender symbols representing the lesbian and gay community.\nFollowing this historic moment, Ottawa Pride picnic events continue to this day, taking place in various parks across the city.\nHere is a list of the previous Pride picnics and their respective locations:\n• 1986 - Strathcona Park\n• 1987 - Strathcona Park\n• 1988 - Jack Purcell Park\n• 1989 - Jack Purcell Park\n• 1990 - Jack Purcell Park\n• 1991 - Ballantyne Park\n• 1992 - Festival Plaza\n• 1993 - Festival Plaza\n• 1994 - Victoria Island\n• 1995 - Wellington Park\n• 1996 - Festival Plaza\n• 1997 - Festival Plaza\nIn 1987, the province of Ontario allocates $164,000 to the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) for prevention and health services.\nACO appoints Grant MacNeil as an interim executive director, succeeded by David Hoe in March 1988.\nDuring the first year, five staff members are hired.\nOn July 1, 1987, Martin Mallon, a gay man, was thrown off a cliff at Major's Hill Park in Ottawa and passed away two days later.\nIn July 1987, the Coalition for Gay Rights in Ontario acquires a draft of the Ministry of Education guidelines and ensures copies are sent to the Ontario AIDS Network.\nThe AIDS Committee of Ottawa is able to respond, and the Ontario Human Rights Commission is requested to intervene to address the blatant homophobia in the document.\nIn September 1987, the Coalition for Gay Rights in Ontario (CGRO) changed its name to the Coalition for Lesbian & Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO).\nOn October 16, 1987, Regional Chair Andrew Haydon opposed AIDS funding, expressing reluctance to support programs targeting a specific group.\nLater, he proposed mandatory AIDS testing for all regional employees.\nIn response, Federal Health Minister Perrin Beatty rebuked Haydon's call for compulsory testing.\nIn May 1988, AIDS Action Now activists organized a press conference in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, publicly consuming non-approved drug treatments to protest the government's restrictions through the Emergency Drug Release Program.\nThey published a guide with information obtained from the Fourth International Conference on AIDS in Stockholm, held from June 12 to 16, 1988.\nIn September 1988, Bruce House, an AIDS hospice located in Ottawa, was established to provide housing assistance and hospice care for individuals affected by AIDS.\nThe AIDS Committee of Ottawa hired five employees to manage its growing services.\nOriginating as a sub-committee of the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, known as the AIDS Housing Group, Bruce House sought funding and a home to support primarily gay men in the advanced stages of the disease.\nOfficially incorporated on October 6, 1989, Bruce House remains active today.\nOn December 1, 1988, the World Health Organization officially declared [World AIDS Day](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-aids-day).\nIn 1989, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) played a pivotal role in advocating for the introduction of anonymous HIV testing in the province.\nThis initiative aimed to provide a crucial incentive for gay men to undergo testing, contributing to the broader efforts in HIV/AIDS prevention and support in the Ottawa community.\nIn October 1989, the ACO reported 52 deaths and identified 46 individuals living with AIDS in Ottawa.\n\n### First Pride Week and Pride Parade\nOn June 9, 1989, the first-ever Lesbian and Gay Pride Week in Ottawa unfolded from June 9 to June 18, culminating in the city's first-ever Ottawa Pride Parade on Sunday, June 18.\nOrganized by the members of Gays of Ottawa (GO), the parade kicked off at Somerset and Metcalfe, concluding at the picnic site in Jack Purcell Park.\nOrganizers estimated around 300 marchers participated in this historic event for the local community.\nPride Week Exhibit: June 15 to 18, 1989, organized by the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, the [U.S. Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt](https://bliptext.com/articles/names-project-aids-memorial-quilt) exhibit was featured at [Lansdowne Park](https://bliptext.com/articles/lansdowne-park) in the Coliseum building.\nShowcasing 1,200 panels, including 268 from Canadian contributors, and attracted approximately 4,000 visitors, marking a significant chapter in the commemoration of those impacted by AIDS in Ottawa.\nOn June 27, 1989, Gays of Ottawa (GO) changed its name to the Association of Lesbians and Gays of Ottawa (ALGO).\n\n### Escalation of Violence in Major’s Hill Park in 1989\nFrom June 18 to July 31, 1989, a series of tragic incidents unfolded at Major's Hill Park in Ottawa.\nOn June 18, Peter Vainola, a local plumber and singer, met an unfortunate death after falling from the cliffs.\nSubsequently, on July 1, Norman Chenier and Phillip Jennings both experienced falls from the same cliffs, with Chenier requiring intensive care and Jennings in serious condition.\nCharles Papps suffered non-life-threatening injuries on July 15.\nAnother violent attack happened on July 31 when John Richard Miller lost his life after being thrown off the cliff.\nOn August 21 to 22, 1989, Alain Brosseau was thrown off the Alexandra Bridge into the Ottawa River, resulting in his death.\nOn the same night, Alain Fortin and Wilfred Gauthier were brutally attacked in their home by a gang of six youths, the same group involved in Brosseau's murder.\nGauthier suffered a throat slash, and Fortin was stabbed in the eye and hand; fortunately, both survived the assault.\nLGBT community faced discrimination, violence, and inadequate police protection.\n\n## Challenges & Legal Victories (1990s)\nIn 1990, the second Ottawa Pride Parade encountered an unexpected hurdle when the City Council initially proclaimed it as \"Lesbian and Gay Pride Day\" on June 17, 1990.\nHowever, this proclamation was later withdrawn due to its coinciding with Father's Day.\nDespite this setback, Pride Week coordinator Graham Haig took swift legal action, leading to a favorable ruling by an Ontario Supreme Court judge.\nThis triumph not only reinstated the proclamation but also ensured the Parade proceeded as planned.\nNevertheless, this legal victory marked the beginning of a challenging period for Ottawa Pride in the '90s, as the organization became embroiled in local political battles over proclamations.\nIn 1991, the city opted to omit the term \"Pride\" from its declaration, choosing \"Lesbian and Gay Day\" over the initially used \"Lesbian and Gay Pride Day\" in 1990.\nThe organizers reluctantly accepted this decision, expressing concern over City Council's failure to acknowledge the significance and empowerment linked with the concept of pride within the Lesbian and Gay community.\nIn 1992, tensions escalated when Mayor [Jacquelin Holzman](https://bliptext.com/articles/jacquelin-holzman), responding to the proclamation request, explicitly excluded \"bisexuals\" by rewriting the declaration.\nThe Ottawa City Council voted against the inclusion of \"bisexuals\" in the official proclamation, opting instead for the stigmatizing phrase \"alternative lifestyles.”\nThis controversial decision prompted activist Kathryn Payne to file a complaint with the [Ontario Human Rights Commission](https://bliptext.com/articles/ontario-human-rights-commission).\nThis marked the beginning of a prolonged legal battle to advocate for the inclusion of bisexuality in the naming and mayoral proclamation for Ottawa’s Pride Week.\nThe dispute persisted for five years before a settlement was finally reached, and Payne emerged victorious shortly before Mayor Jacquelin Holzman's retirement in 1997.\nAmidst this struggle, in 1996 the Chief Commissioner [Maxwell Yalden](https://bliptext.com/articles/max-yalden) made the following statement: \"... the Universal Declaration of the United Nations on Human Rights, and indeed the [Canadian Human Rights Act](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-human-rights-act), says all human beings are equal in their rights. All. That doesn't mean all minus homosexuals.\"\nOn April 29, 1996, the federal Justice Minister [Allan Rock](https://bliptext.com/articles/allan-rock) introduced Bill C-33 to include [sexual orientation](https://bliptext.com/articles/sexual-orientation) as a prohibited ground of discrimination covered in the Canadian Human Rights Act; Royal Assent was granted on June 20, 1996.\nIn 1997, the Regional Chair of Ottawa-Carleton [Peter Clark](https://bliptext.com/articles/peter-d-clark-politician) proclaimed \"Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Week.\"\nThe settlement with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act strengthened LGBT rights.\nIt's noteworthy that these advancements occurred just before the retirement of Mayor Holzman, concluding a five-year battle for recognition and equal rights with the City of Ottawa.\n\n### Pride Events Moved from June to July\nIn 1994, Ottawa Pride events, encompassing the week-long festival, Pride Picnic, and the Pride Parade, made a move to July, a shift that endured until the conclusion of 2004, spanning the following 10 years.\nOn July 17, 1994, Joanne Law and Diana Coltridge walked in the Ottawa Pride Parade under the Gender Mosaic banner, marking a significant first.\nThe Ottawa Pride Picnic and some of the festival events occur at Festival Plaza at [Ottawa City Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-city-hall) from 1996 to 2001.\nOn May 9, 1997, the Pride Week Committee ([National Capital Region](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-capital-region-canada)) / Comité de la semaine de la fierté (Région de la capitale nationale) was incorporated in Ottawa, Ontario.\nIt operates as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and is currently listed as active.\nMay 21, 1997, marked a significant decision by the Ottawa City Council, voting 8 to 2 in favor of adding \"bisexual\" and \"transgender\" to the Pride Week proclamation.\nThis choice designated July 12 to 20, 1997, as the inaugural Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Week in Ottawa.\nOn July 13, 1997, the Pride flag was raised for the first time at Ottawa City Hall.\nIn 1998, Prime Minister [Jean Chrétien](https://bliptext.com/articles/jean-chr-tien), in a letter for Pride Week, emphasized the significance of diversity as a source of strength in Canadian society.\nHe underscores Canada's commitment to being a nation where individuals can be different and equal simultaneously.\nThe letter emphasizes the importance of the Canadian Human Rights Act, advocating for equal opportunities without discrimination based on various factors.\nChrétien calls for the continued effort to nurture and protect these principles, ensuring Canada remains a country of inclusiveness, tolerance, and justice.\nThe Ottawa Pride Week Committee further ensured its visibility by printing PM Chrétien's letter on page three of the Ottawa-Hull July 10–19, 1998 Pride Week Festival guide, themed \"Pride for All Seasons!\"\nThis allowed the message to reach a broader audience within the LGBTQ community.\n\n## Transformation and Challenges (2000s)\nIn 2002 the Pride Committee moved the Pride event from the Festival Plaza to [Bank Street](https://bliptext.com/articles/bank-street-ottawa) (Ottawa’s [Gay Village](https://bliptext.com/articles/gay-village)) with support from the [Bank Street](https://bliptext.com/articles/bank-street-ottawa) BIA.\nFrom July 8 to 14, 2002, Ottawa Police and the LGBT Police Liaison Committee actively participated in Pride events.\nThey reported a historic milestone with a record-breaking attendance of over 55,000 people at the July 14th Pride parade.\nOn June 11, 2003, Renée Sauve and Tracey Braun made history as the first same-sex couple to be married in Ottawa.\nCommencing on November 20, 2003, the first [Transgender Day of Remembrance](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender-day-of-remembrance) vigil in Ottawa was held at the [Human Rights Monument](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-tribute-to-human-rights) on Elgin Street.\nApproximately 50 attendees, including various transgender individuals, were present, alongside members from Pink Triangle Services, Pflag, Egale, the Ottawa Police Service, and local union representatives.\nThe vigil was organized by Melanie P.\nOn July 10, 2004, the inaugural **Ottawa Dyke March** took place, signifying solidarity with [dyke marches](https://bliptext.com/articles/dyke-march) globally.\nOver the years, this event has expanded from a march, rally, and community picnic to also serve as a deliberate and peaceful political protest.\nThe Ottawa Dyke March aims to enhance the visibility of dykes, advocate for political change, and protest against the corporatization of the Pride Parade, among other vital causes.\nIn 2006, for instance, after the march, participants had a picnic complemented by a variety show and other events, furthering the event's alignment with its core values.\nNotably, the theme for 2018 was 'Dykes Shaping the Arts,' placing a spotlight on dyke artists for the first time.\n\n### Pride Rescheduled from July to August\nIn 2005, the Pride Festival was relocated from Bank Street back to Festival Plaza due to high costs and Pride Committee’s outstanding debts.\nAdditionally, the festival dates were rescheduled from July to August due to availability constraints at the Festival Plaza.\nThis is why Ottawa's Pride festival takes place in mid-August, hosting its Pride Parade in late August.\nPublished on August 25, 2005, Allendria Brunjes of The Charlatan newspaper at Carleton University interviews Tamara Stammis, the chair of planning and events for Ottawa Pride Week:\nAllendria Brunjes states in her article:\n

This year the celebration started August 19 and will run until August 28, 2005 the day of the pride parade.

\nAllendria Brunjes quotes Tamara Stammis:\n

\"the events this year are not at the same place or time as usual due to financial issues.\"
\"We had to move the date and the site because it was not feasible for us to close Bank Street again,\" she said, adding that \"Festival Plaza, where most of the events are being held, was the best option and it was booked at other plausible times.\"\n

\n\n## Financial Challenges and Rebranding\nStarting in 2006, the Pride Week Committee of Ottawa-Gatineau faced financial challenges, leading to a five-year hiatus in printing the Pride Guide.\n[Capital Xtra](https://bliptext.com/articles/xtra-ottawa) stepped in, publishing the Ultimate Pride Guide during this period until the end of 2010.\nBetween 2006 and 2008, the Ottawa Pride festival underwent a rebranding, changing its name from Ottawa Pride to Capital Pride.\n\n## Evolution and Milestones (2010s)\nIn 2010, Pride Week included a [rugby](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-union) match between [Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada)'s only two predominantly gay [rugby](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-union) teams, the [Toronto Muddy York](https://bliptext.com/articles/muddy-york-rfc) and the [Ottawa Wolves](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-wolves-rfc).\nThe historic match was played on the main lawn of [Parliament](https://bliptext.com/articles/parliament-hill) on August 28, 2010.\nOn November 20, 2010, Ottawa's [Transgender Day of Remembrance](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender-day-of-remembrance) featured the inaugural use of the \"[Trans Flag](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender-flag),\" designed by Michelle Lindsay.\nThe event marked its significance with official unveilings by Ottawa Police, Paramedics, and City Halls in both Ottawa and Gatineau in 2010 and 2011.\nAugust 2011 marked a significant moment as, for the first time in five years, the Pride Week Committee produced its official Pride Guide for the Capital Pride Festival in Ottawa and Gatineau.\nOn October 14, 2011, Jamie Hubley, son of Ottawa city councillor [Allan Hubley](https://bliptext.com/articles/allan-hubley), tragically took his own life after enduring relentless anti-gay bullying.\nHis struggles, starting in Grade 7, included incidents like students attempting to force batteries into his mouth due to his preference for figure skating over ice hockey|hockey.\nIn response, numerous Canadian media and political figures contributed videos to the online [It Gets Better Project](https://bliptext.com/articles/it-gets-better-project).\nAdditionally, spurred by Jamie Hubley's heartbreaking experience, the [Legislative Assembly of Ontario](https://bliptext.com/articles/legislative-assembly-of-ontario) passed a 2012 act imposing stricter penalties for bullying in schools.\nOn November 4, 2011, Ottawa officially designates Bank Street in Centretown as the 'Gay Village,' adorned with rainbow signs.\nIn 2014, Capital Pride ran into financial troubles after 'accounting irregularities' kept the organization from paying vendors over $100,000.\nThe organization declared bankruptcy in December 2014.\nIn early 2015, Ottawa Capital Pride implemented a new governance structure, introducing the Community Advisory Committee for direction and policies, and the Festival Operations Committee for managing the annual festival.\nThey rebranded, adopting the term 'Rainbow Community' and a 'Super Rainbow' logo, while naming the festival Fierté dans la Capital(e) Pride Festival.\nOn June 1, 2016, a historic moment unfolded on [Parliament Hill](https://bliptext.com/articles/parliament-hill) in Ottawa as [Prime Minister Justin Trudeau](https://bliptext.com/articles/justin-trudeau) raised the [Pride flag](https://bliptext.com/articles/pride-flag) for the first time in Canadian history.\nThis symbolic gesture acknowledged the persistent efforts of those who tirelessly fought for equal rights for LGBT Canadians.\nIn July 2017, Ottawa Capital Pride requested off-duty [Ottawa Police](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-police-service) attending the August festival not to wear uniforms during the parade to foster inclusivity.\nInitially opposed, Chief Bordeleau later agreed, fostering dialogue with LGBTQ2 police.\nThe request aimed to address discomfort in marginalized communities, showcasing a commitment to progress despite disagreements and acknowledging complexities in building trust and inclusivity.\nOn August 27, 2017, [Prime Minister Justin Trudeau](https://bliptext.com/articles/justin-trudeau) made history as the first sitting prime minister to participate in the Ottawa Capital Pride parade.\nAdditionally, General Jonathan Vance, the [Chief of the Defence Staff](https://bliptext.com/articles/chief-of-the-defence-staff-canada), joined other senior members of the [Canadian Armed Forces](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-armed-forces), including heads of the [army](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-army) and [navy](https://bliptext.com/articles/royal-canadian-navy).\nA substantial LGBTQ2 contingent of approximately 100 uniformed military personnel contributed to the parade, celebrating the strength found in diversity.\nOn November 28, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a historic apology in the House of Commons, acknowledging the injustices faced by LGBTQ Canadians during the [Gay Purges](https://bliptext.com/articles/gay-purges-canada).\nMany were criminally charged or dismissed from the Canadian military, mounted police, or federal public service due to their sexual orientation.\nFrom August 19 to 26, 2018, Ottawa Pride hosted its largest pride celebration to date, drawing a record-breaking attendance of over 105,000 festival-goers.\nOn August 17, 2019, Ottawa Mayor [Jim Watson](https://bliptext.com/articles/jim-watson-canadian-politician) publicly came out as gay, marking a historic moment just before Pride Week.\nHis revelation made history as he became Ottawa's first openly gay mayor.\nCapital Pride announced the appointment of its first-ever executive director, Osmel Guerra Maynes, on January 6, 2020.\n\n## COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021)\n2020\nOn May 11, 2020, Ottawa's in-person Pride festival and parade were cancelled due to the [COVID-19 pandemic in Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic-in-canada).\nOntario's state of emergency extension and the City of Ottawa's prohibition on city-led mass events, parades, and festivities prompted this decision.\nCapital Pride opted for an online 'Virtual Festival' held from August 23 to 30, 2020, themed 'Wherever We Are.' The event featured a Miss Capital Pride pageant, won by [Icesis Couture](https://bliptext.com/articles/icesis-couture), who later triumphed in the [second season](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada-s-drag-race-season-2) of [Canada's Drag Race](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada-s-drag-race) in 2021.\n2021\nThe Virtual Capital Pride Festival took place from August 22 to 29, 2021, with the theme 'We Still Demand!' commemorating the 50th anniversary of the historic '[We Demand Rally](https://bliptext.com/articles/we-demand)' for [LGBT rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbt-rights-in-canada) on Parliament Hill on August 28, 1971.\nOn August 11, 2021, it was announced that a limited-capacity, one-day, in-person event would be held outdoors on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park, taking place on Sunday, August 29, 2021, from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm.\n\n## After the pandemic (2022-present)\nOn June 1, 2022, the [Ottawa Trans Library](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-trans-library) opened in the [Hintonburg](https://bliptext.com/articles/hintonburg) neighbourhood as a non-profit lending library and community center focused on trans issues.\nIts collection includes works by trans authors and fiction with trans characters, serving as an educational resource hub for both the Ottawa trans community and the general public.\n**Hate Crimes Surge:** Reported [hate crimes](https://bliptext.com/articles/hate-crimes) against transgender, agender, and sexual orientation have surged in recent years, according to [Statistics Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/statistics-canada).\n[Chief Eric Stubbs](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-police-service) emphasized the likelihood of [underreporting](https://bliptext.com/articles/underreporting) of hate crimes and hate-and-bias-motivated incidents against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, acknowledging their actual prevalence is higher.\nHe stressed the importance of reporting these incidents, noting that police data provides only a partial understanding of the issue.\nOn August 25, 2023, in downtown Ottawa, the March for [Trans Rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/[transgender](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender)-rights-in-canada) took place, advocating for increased support and visibility for [transgender](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender) individuals.\nCo-organizer Fae Johnstone, also the [Grand Marshal](https://bliptext.com/articles/grand-marshal) of the 2023 Capital Pride Parade, emphasized the importance of solidarity and action amidst ongoing challenges faced by the trans community.\nThe [march](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender-rights-movement) highlighted concerns regarding [safer schools](https://bliptext.com/articles/pink-shirt-day), refugee support, healthcare access, and discrimination.\nSpeakers at the trans rally included Fae Johnstone, Jade Peek, co-organizer and Director of Operations with [Kind Space](https://bliptext.com/articles/kind-space), Celeste Trianon, a trans advocate and organizer of the Montreal [Trans March](https://bliptext.com/articles/trans-march), Tara Sypniewski, a trans historian and founder of the [Ottawa Trans Library](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-trans-library), and Sharp Dopler, a carrier of ceremony and [LGBT Purge](https://bliptext.com/articles/gay-purges-canada) survivor.\nThey collectively discussed the importance of inclusive policies and societal acceptance, reaffirming their commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all participants despite potential challenges.\nOn August 27, 2023, the annual [Pride Parade](https://bliptext.com/articles/pride-parade) attracted thousands of participants and spectators to downtown [Ottawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa) streets adorned with [rainbow colours](https://bliptext.com/articles/rainbow-flag-lgbt).\nApproximately 10,000 individuals took part in the parade, with thousands more lining the route along Elgin Street, Gladstone Avenue, and Kent Street.\nParticipants highlighted the significance of attending the parade in light of concerns over increasing [anti-trans hate](https://bliptext.com/articles/transphobia) across [Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada).\nFae Johnstone, the Grand Marshal of the parade, stressed the importance of solidarity and advocacy within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.\nIn conjunction with the parade, the [federal government](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-federal-government) announced funding of up to $1.9 million for seven [2SLGBTQI+](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbtq) organizations in the Ottawa area.\nThis funding coincided with the parade and underscores the government's commitment to supporting 2SLGBTQI+ initiatives and organizations in the region.\nOn August 6, 2024, Ottawa Capital Pride published a statement on their website expressing solidarity with Palestinians, including references to an \"ongoing genocide\" in Gaza.\nThis statement became the focal point of significant controversy, particularly drawing backlash from several Jewish organizations.\nIn response, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced that he would not attend any Capital Pride events in 2024.\nFollowing this, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and the Ottawa Hospital also decided to withdraw their participation from the parade.\nCHEO's CEO, Alex Munter, cited concerns that the Pride Parade had shifted from supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community to protesting Israel, making some members of the community feel unsafe or unwelcome.\n\n# Ottawa Pride Festival timeline\nThe first recorded Ottawa Pride event took place on June 28, 1986, and marked the beginning of Pride celebrations in the city.\nThe first Ottawa Pride Parade took place on Sunday June 18, 1989.\nThe second Ottawa Pride Parade occurred on June 17, 1990.\nInitially, City Council proclaimed it \"Lesbian and Gay Pride Day,\" but later withdrew the proclamation due to its conflict with Father's Day.\nNevertheless, following legal action led by Pride Week coordinator Graham Haig, an Ontario Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of Ottawa Pride, reinstating the day and allowing the parade to proceed.\nDespite this legal victory, Ottawa Pride was not immune to the local political disputes that characterized much of the 1990s, which included ongoing conflicts over proclamations.\nOver the years, the Ottawa Capital Pride Parade has grown in size and significance, attracting participants and spectators from various backgrounds who come together to show their support and solidarity.\n\n## Main Pride Festival Events\nWhile Ottawa Pride Parades typically take place on the fourth Sunday of August, it’s important to be aware that there may be occasional variations due to factors such as event planning, logistics, and community considerations.\n\n# Winter Pride\n**Winter Pride** is an annual festival in [Ottawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa) and [Gatineau](https://bliptext.com/articles/gatineau), collaborating with [Winterlude](https://bliptext.com/articles/winterlude), managed by [Canadian Heritage](https://bliptext.com/articles/department-of-canadian-heritage) since 1979.\nOttawa Pride joined in 2019.\nStay informed about the latest 2SLGBTQI+ events during Winterlude by using the official calendar filter on the [Winterlude website.](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined)\n\n## Winter Pride Festival Events\n\n# Gallery","current_revision":null,"created_by":"kACnuQmH5k9Nr5VNVEpVeg7XpvUmMctD","created_at":"2025-01-26T08:25:59.931Z","updated_at":"2025-01-26T08:25:59.931Z","search_vector":"'capit':1 'ottawa':3 'pride':2","search_content":" \n \n**Name:** Ottawa Capital Pride \n**Native Name:** Fierté dans la capitale \n**Image Size:** 295px \n**Status:** Active \n**Genre:** Pride festival and [parade](https://bliptext.com/articles/pride-parade) \n**Begins:** August 17, 2024 \n**Ends:** August 25, 2024 \n**Frequency:** Annually, mid to late August \n**Location:** [National Capital Region](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-capital-region-canada) [Ottawa, Ontario](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa) [Gatineau, Quebec](https://bliptext.com/articles/gatineau) \n**Coordinates:** 45.42472°N, -75.695°W \n**Country:** Canada \n**Years Active:** 0 \n**First:** June 28, 1986 \n**Founder Name:** Gays of Ottawa (GO) \n**Prev:** August 19–27, 2023 \n**Next:** August 17–25, 2024 \n**Organised:** Pride Week Committee (since May 9, 1997) \n**Filing:** Not-for-Profit Corporation \n**Website:** [Ottawa Capital Pride](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined) \n \n\n# \n**[Ottawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa) Capital Pride** is an annual [LGBTQ](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbtq) pride event, festival, and [parade](https://bliptext.com/articles/pride-parade) held in [Ottawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa), [Ontario](https://bliptext.com/articles/ontario), [Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada), and [Gatineau](https://bliptext.com/articles/gatineau), [Quebec](https://bliptext.com/articles/quebec), from mid to late August.\nEstablished in 1986, it has evolved into a 7 to 9-day celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, advocating for equality, diversity, and inclusion in the [National Capital Region](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-capital-region-canada).\nThe festival offers bilingual events in English and French, known as 'Capital Pride / Fierté dans la capitale', seamlessly blending local pride with national importance.\nThe Ottawa Pride Parade, initiated in 1989 and now held on the fourth Sunday of August, has significantly expanded in size and impact.\nServing as a platform for [LGBTQ+ rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbt-rights-in-canada) and visibility, it has achieved notable milestones in legal victories and inclusivity initiatives.\nDespite facing challenges, including financial hardships and occasional controversies, Ottawa Pride remains a prominent symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and unity in the Ottawa community.\nIt also extends a warm welcome to 2SLGBTQIA+ diversity from around the world, bridging local and national pride with global significance.\n\n# Mission\nCapital Pride's mission is to create opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.\n\n# History\n\n## Emergence and Advocacy (1970s)\nAugust 28, 1971: About 100 people from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and surrounding areas gathered on Parliament Hill amidst pouring rain for the historic '[We Demand Rally](https://bliptext.com/articles/we-demand),' the first-ever protest in Canada advocating for [LGBT rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbt-rights-in-canada).\nTen demands for equal rights within the burgeoning queer community were presented.\nSeptember 14, 1971: A small group of gay men gathered for the first time, inspired by the We Demand protest.\nThis meeting led to a crucial development on October 13, 1971, when the Gays of Ottawa (GO) / Gai(e)s de l’Outaouais (GO) organization was formally established.\nGO emerged as Ottawa’s inaugural queer rights organization, advocating for LGBT rights, community education, and empowerment.\nMay 19 to 20, 1973: Gays of Ottawa (GO) hosted the inaugural national interprovincial conference of Gay Liberation groups in Canada.\nActivists from Quebec City, Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, Saskatoon, and Montreal gathered in Ottawa.\nOctober 15, 1974: Gays of Ottawa picketed the Immigration Department to protest screening policies discriminating against gays and lesbians seeking entry to Canada.\nBased in Ottawa they were frequently called on to wage the national battle for gay rights.\nOn October 23, the federal government changed its policy after the immigration minister met with GO officials.\nJuly 1, 1975: The National Gay Rights Coalition (NGRC) was founded at a national conference in Ottawa, with active involvement from Gays of Ottawa.\nThe NGRC emerged as a civil rights organization, aiming for the 'removal of all federal legislation which permits, condones, or encourages discrimination against homosexuals' and the 'implementation of legislatively guaranteed civil rights for gay people.'\nMay 22, 1976: The Ottawa Police conducted the city's first bathhouse raid at Club Baths, resulting in the arrest of 27 men on charges such as 'found-ins' and 'gross indecency.' Financial papers and a membership list with over 3,000 names were seized.\nSimilar raids occurred in Toronto and Montreal as part of a broader 'clean-up' campaign before the 1976 summer Olympics.\nMay 24, 1976: In response to the raid, Gays of Ottawa organized a press conference, followed by a protest at the Ottawa Police Headquarters at 60 Waller Street on May 28, with approximately 50 participants.\nDrawing lessons from the 1975 'Vice Ring' case, which tragically resulted in the death of Warren Zufflet, the Ottawa Citizen chose not to publish the names of the arrested individuals.\nFeb 16, 1979: A fire completely destroyed the Gays of Ottawa GO Centre, consuming the building along with the majority of paperwork, erasing much of the records from the first decade.\nFrom June 27 to July 2, 1979, the seventh annual Canadian Lesbian and Gay Rights Coalition (CLGRC) conference, titled \"Celebration '79: Celebrating Ten Years of Lesbian/Gay Liberation,\" took place in Ottawa with support from the Gays of Ottawa (GO).\nOver 200 delegates attended, and Mayor Marion Dewar designated June 27 as \"Human Rights Day.\"\nThe conference aimed to commemorate a decade of gay liberation in Canada, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the Omnibus Bill.\nHowever, the event received mixed reviews, marked by tensions between advocates of local grassroots action and those favouring a national strategy.\nHeated debates emerged on the issue of lesbian participation, mirroring broader discussions within the gay liberation movement and reflecting the evolving landscape of the Canadian LGBTQ+ rights movement during that period.\n\n## Evolution and Challenges (1980s)\nDuring the 1980s, Ottawa's lesbian and gay community experienced a unification.\nThe Gays of Ottawa (GO) saw greater female participation and membership.\nThis transformed GO into a co-sexual organization, empowering women in prominent roles.\nThe AIDS crisis further increased opportunities for women.\nHeidi McDonell notes that Ottawa's smaller size fostered closer collaboration between men and women.\nOn July 3, 1981, Barry Deeprose, a volunteer with Ottawa's Gayline, came across an unusual article on the organization's notice board.\nThe article, sourced from [The New York Times](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-new-york-times), July 3, 1981, 'Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals', highlighted a rare cancer found in gay men.\n'I had the sense that something dreadful had gone wrong,' Deeprose recalls.\nThe Gayline faced an influx of anxious callers seeking information about AIDS.\nOperators, while uncertain, advised callers to shower before sex and avoid engaging in sexual activities with individuals displaying skin lesions.\nBarry Deeprose recalls, \"People would be calling us to find out symptoms; people would be calling us with symptoms.\"\nOn August 24, 1982, Gays of Ottawa (GO) organized a public meeting with officials from Health and Welfare Canada's Laboratory Centre for Disease Control.\nAround seventy individuals attended seeking information, despite the limited knowledge available.\nOn September 11, 1982, [Mayor Marion Dewar](https://bliptext.com/articles/marion-dewar) cut the pink ribbon at Ottawa’s first feminist bookstore, the Ottawa Women’s Bookstore, symbolizing a period of growth in the women's community.\nThe mayor of Ottawa at that time was sincerely supportive of the lesbian and gay community.\nIn 1983, another emergency community meeting on AIDS at the Gays of Ottawa GO Centre drew a full house.\nDr. Gordon Jessamine, chief epidemiologist at the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control in Ottawa, shared early, reliable information about AIDS.\nGO activist Lloyd Plunkett noted, \"We had people standing in the hallways. They couldn't even see the speaker. People were really scared and wanted to know what was happening.\"\nIn 1983, Linda Wilson a 27-year-old chemist become the first female president of Gays of Ottawa (GO).\nShe passed a bylaw that mandated equal representation between men and women on the board.\nOn July 19, 1983, 28-year-old Peter Evans became Ottawa's first identified AIDS patient, publicly disclosing his diagnosis to counter the recent flood of media misinformation.\nDuring an August 28 radio show, Peter Evans engaged with host Bill Prankard, correcting misinformation and advocating for increased AIDS funding over shutting down establishments.\nPrankard suggested the epidemic might be a \"judgment of God,\" prompting Peter to highlight the broader impact on patients with cancer and multiple sclerosis.\nThe exchange led to complaints from Gays of Ottawa (GO) to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commission, citing the host's dissemination of false information and unbalanced coverage.\nOn October 1, 1983, the first AIDS Walkathon fundraiser took place, with Peter Evans leading the initial blocks of the walk.\nThe route stretched from Ottawa to Kingston, raising over $5,000.\nAs of October 13, 1983, there were 44 reported cases of AIDS in Ottawa, according to Dr. Clayton.\nAmong them, 40 cases involved men, and 4 cases involved women.\nIn November 1983, Gays of Ottawa (GO) co-founds the Ottawa-Hull Coalition against Bill C-157 and presents a brief on behalf of the Coalition for Gay Rights in Ontario (CGRO) to a Senate Committee examining Bill C-157 and federal government security provisions, including the RCMP and CSIS, which granted significant powers against the LGBT community.\nOn January 7, 1984, the LGBT community mourned the death of Peter Evans, Ottawa's first recorded AIDS casualty and the 35th Canadian reported to have died of AIDS.\nHe passed away at the Ottawa General Hospital, which later became a prominent AIDS treatment center for the region.\nJuly 9, 1985, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) was established as a community-based organization co-founded by Barry Deeprose and Bob Read to respond to the emerging HIV/AIDS crisis.\nThe ACO played a crucial role in providing support, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS in the Ottawa area.\nOn August 7, 1987, the organization achieved a milestone by officially incorporating as a non-profit charity, coinciding with increased funding availability.\nOn October 9, 1985, the inaugural community information meeting, led by Barry Deeprose and featuring Dr. Gilles Melanson, who was the first openly gay doctor in Ottawa, drew a full house.\nThe gathering occurred a month before the virus test became available in Canada, underscoring the attendees' palpable anticipation and concerns.\nIn 1986, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) initiated various educational campaigns to promote safe sex:\nThese multifaceted efforts reflect ACO's comprehensive strategy, combining condom distribution, visual campaigns, and engaging demonstrations to advocate safer sex practices and raise awareness about AIDS.\nEstablished in 1986, the [Canadian AIDS Society](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-aids-society) (CAS) emerged during the peak of the AIDS crisis with 16 initial members, including the AIDS Committee of Ottawa.\nInitially operating from a shared office in Edmonton, CAS achieved charitable status in 1988 and relocated to Ottawa.\nCAS serves as a national representative for its members, guided by the perspectives of people living with HIV/AIDS.\nIn May 1986, a gay student at Gloucester High School challenged homophobia by coming out in a letter to the school paper.\nMany students were outraged, and a petition was sent to the principal.\nOscar's letter was one of many courageous acts in which gay, lesbian and bisexual students were coming out in Ottawa.\n\n### First Pride Event\nOn June 28, 1986, Ottawa hosted its first lesbian and gay Pride event, where around 50 individuals gathered at [Strathcona Park](https://bliptext.com/articles/strathcona-park-ottawa) for a picnic organized by the members of Gays of Ottawa.\nThe event featured music, dancing, and vibrant balloons adorned with messages such as 'gay pride' and gender symbols representing the lesbian and gay community.\nFollowing this historic moment, Ottawa Pride picnic events continue to this day, taking place in various parks across the city.\nHere is a list of the previous Pride picnics and their respective locations:\n• 1986 - Strathcona Park\n• 1987 - Strathcona Park\n• 1988 - Jack Purcell Park\n• 1989 - Jack Purcell Park\n• 1990 - Jack Purcell Park\n• 1991 - Ballantyne Park\n• 1992 - Festival Plaza\n• 1993 - Festival Plaza\n• 1994 - Victoria Island\n• 1995 - Wellington Park\n• 1996 - Festival Plaza\n• 1997 - Festival Plaza\nIn 1987, the province of Ontario allocates $164,000 to the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) for prevention and health services.\nACO appoints Grant MacNeil as an interim executive director, succeeded by David Hoe in March 1988.\nDuring the first year, five staff members are hired.\nOn July 1, 1987, Martin Mallon, a gay man, was thrown off a cliff at Major's Hill Park in Ottawa and passed away two days later.\nIn July 1987, the Coalition for Gay Rights in Ontario acquires a draft of the Ministry of Education guidelines and ensures copies are sent to the Ontario AIDS Network.\nThe AIDS Committee of Ottawa is able to respond, and the Ontario Human Rights Commission is requested to intervene to address the blatant homophobia in the document.\nIn September 1987, the Coalition for Gay Rights in Ontario (CGRO) changed its name to the Coalition for Lesbian & Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO).\nOn October 16, 1987, Regional Chair Andrew Haydon opposed AIDS funding, expressing reluctance to support programs targeting a specific group.\nLater, he proposed mandatory AIDS testing for all regional employees.\nIn response, Federal Health Minister Perrin Beatty rebuked Haydon's call for compulsory testing.\nIn May 1988, AIDS Action Now activists organized a press conference in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, publicly consuming non-approved drug treatments to protest the government's restrictions through the Emergency Drug Release Program.\nThey published a guide with information obtained from the Fourth International Conference on AIDS in Stockholm, held from June 12 to 16, 1988.\nIn September 1988, Bruce House, an AIDS hospice located in Ottawa, was established to provide housing assistance and hospice care for individuals affected by AIDS.\nThe AIDS Committee of Ottawa hired five employees to manage its growing services.\nOriginating as a sub-committee of the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, known as the AIDS Housing Group, Bruce House sought funding and a home to support primarily gay men in the advanced stages of the disease.\nOfficially incorporated on October 6, 1989, Bruce House remains active today.\nOn December 1, 1988, the World Health Organization officially declared [World AIDS Day](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-aids-day).\nIn 1989, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) played a pivotal role in advocating for the introduction of anonymous HIV testing in the province.\nThis initiative aimed to provide a crucial incentive for gay men to undergo testing, contributing to the broader efforts in HIV/AIDS prevention and support in the Ottawa community.\nIn October 1989, the ACO reported 52 deaths and identified 46 individuals living with AIDS in Ottawa.\n\n### First Pride Week and Pride Parade\nOn June 9, 1989, the first-ever Lesbian and Gay Pride Week in Ottawa unfolded from June 9 to June 18, culminating in the city's first-ever Ottawa Pride Parade on Sunday, June 18.\nOrganized by the members of Gays of Ottawa (GO), the parade kicked off at Somerset and Metcalfe, concluding at the picnic site in Jack Purcell Park.\nOrganizers estimated around 300 marchers participated in this historic event for the local community.\nPride Week Exhibit: June 15 to 18, 1989, organized by the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, the [U.S. Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt](https://bliptext.com/articles/names-project-aids-memorial-quilt) exhibit was featured at [Lansdowne Park](https://bliptext.com/articles/lansdowne-park) in the Coliseum building.\nShowcasing 1,200 panels, including 268 from Canadian contributors, and attracted approximately 4,000 visitors, marking a significant chapter in the commemoration of those impacted by AIDS in Ottawa.\nOn June 27, 1989, Gays of Ottawa (GO) changed its name to the Association of Lesbians and Gays of Ottawa (ALGO).\n\n### Escalation of Violence in Major’s Hill Park in 1989\nFrom June 18 to July 31, 1989, a series of tragic incidents unfolded at Major's Hill Park in Ottawa.\nOn June 18, Peter Vainola, a local plumber and singer, met an unfortunate death after falling from the cliffs.\nSubsequently, on July 1, Norman Chenier and Phillip Jennings both experienced falls from the same cliffs, with Chenier requiring intensive care and Jennings in serious condition.\nCharles Papps suffered non-life-threatening injuries on July 15.\nAnother violent attack happened on July 31 when John Richard Miller lost his life after being thrown off the cliff.\nOn August 21 to 22, 1989, Alain Brosseau was thrown off the Alexandra Bridge into the Ottawa River, resulting in his death.\nOn the same night, Alain Fortin and Wilfred Gauthier were brutally attacked in their home by a gang of six youths, the same group involved in Brosseau's murder.\nGauthier suffered a throat slash, and Fortin was stabbed in the eye and hand; fortunately, both survived the assault.\nLGBT community faced discrimination, violence, and inadequate police protection.\n\n## Challenges & Legal Victories (1990s)\nIn 1990, the second Ottawa Pride Parade encountered an unexpected hurdle when the City Council initially proclaimed it as \"Lesbian and Gay Pride Day\" on June 17, 1990.\nHowever, this proclamation was later withdrawn due to its coinciding with Father's Day.\nDespite this setback, Pride Week coordinator Graham Haig took swift legal action, leading to a favorable ruling by an Ontario Supreme Court judge.\nThis triumph not only reinstated the proclamation but also ensured the Parade proceeded as planned.\nNevertheless, this legal victory marked the beginning of a challenging period for Ottawa Pride in the '90s, as the organization became embroiled in local political battles over proclamations.\nIn 1991, the city opted to omit the term \"Pride\" from its declaration, choosing \"Lesbian and Gay Day\" over the initially used \"Lesbian and Gay Pride Day\" in 1990.\nThe organizers reluctantly accepted this decision, expressing concern over City Council's failure to acknowledge the significance and empowerment linked with the concept of pride within the Lesbian and Gay community.\nIn 1992, tensions escalated when Mayor [Jacquelin Holzman](https://bliptext.com/articles/jacquelin-holzman), responding to the proclamation request, explicitly excluded \"bisexuals\" by rewriting the declaration.\nThe Ottawa City Council voted against the inclusion of \"bisexuals\" in the official proclamation, opting instead for the stigmatizing phrase \"alternative lifestyles.”\nThis controversial decision prompted activist Kathryn Payne to file a complaint with the [Ontario Human Rights Commission](https://bliptext.com/articles/ontario-human-rights-commission).\nThis marked the beginning of a prolonged legal battle to advocate for the inclusion of bisexuality in the naming and mayoral proclamation for Ottawa’s Pride Week.\nThe dispute persisted for five years before a settlement was finally reached, and Payne emerged victorious shortly before Mayor Jacquelin Holzman's retirement in 1997.\nAmidst this struggle, in 1996 the Chief Commissioner [Maxwell Yalden](https://bliptext.com/articles/max-yalden) made the following statement: \"... the Universal Declaration of the United Nations on Human Rights, and indeed the [Canadian Human Rights Act](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-human-rights-act), says all human beings are equal in their rights. All. That doesn't mean all minus homosexuals.\"\nOn April 29, 1996, the federal Justice Minister [Allan Rock](https://bliptext.com/articles/allan-rock) introduced Bill C-33 to include [sexual orientation](https://bliptext.com/articles/sexual-orientation) as a prohibited ground of discrimination covered in the Canadian Human Rights Act; Royal Assent was granted on June 20, 1996.\nIn 1997, the Regional Chair of Ottawa-Carleton [Peter Clark](https://bliptext.com/articles/peter-d-clark-politician) proclaimed \"Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Week.\"\nThe settlement with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act strengthened LGBT rights.\nIt's noteworthy that these advancements occurred just before the retirement of Mayor Holzman, concluding a five-year battle for recognition and equal rights with the City of Ottawa.\n\n### Pride Events Moved from June to July\nIn 1994, Ottawa Pride events, encompassing the week-long festival, Pride Picnic, and the Pride Parade, made a move to July, a shift that endured until the conclusion of 2004, spanning the following 10 years.\nOn July 17, 1994, Joanne Law and Diana Coltridge walked in the Ottawa Pride Parade under the Gender Mosaic banner, marking a significant first.\nThe Ottawa Pride Picnic and some of the festival events occur at Festival Plaza at [Ottawa City Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-city-hall) from 1996 to 2001.\nOn May 9, 1997, the Pride Week Committee ([National Capital Region](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-capital-region-canada)) / Comité de la semaine de la fierté (Région de la capitale nationale) was incorporated in Ottawa, Ontario.\nIt operates as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and is currently listed as active.\nMay 21, 1997, marked a significant decision by the Ottawa City Council, voting 8 to 2 in favor of adding \"bisexual\" and \"transgender\" to the Pride Week proclamation.\nThis choice designated July 12 to 20, 1997, as the inaugural Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Week in Ottawa.\nOn July 13, 1997, the Pride flag was raised for the first time at Ottawa City Hall.\nIn 1998, Prime Minister [Jean Chrétien](https://bliptext.com/articles/jean-chr-tien), in a letter for Pride Week, emphasized the significance of diversity as a source of strength in Canadian society.\nHe underscores Canada's commitment to being a nation where individuals can be different and equal simultaneously.\nThe letter emphasizes the importance of the Canadian Human Rights Act, advocating for equal opportunities without discrimination based on various factors.\nChrétien calls for the continued effort to nurture and protect these principles, ensuring Canada remains a country of inclusiveness, tolerance, and justice.\nThe Ottawa Pride Week Committee further ensured its visibility by printing PM Chrétien's letter on page three of the Ottawa-Hull July 10–19, 1998 Pride Week Festival guide, themed \"Pride for All Seasons!\"\nThis allowed the message to reach a broader audience within the LGBTQ community.\n\n## Transformation and Challenges (2000s)\nIn 2002 the Pride Committee moved the Pride event from the Festival Plaza to [Bank Street](https://bliptext.com/articles/bank-street-ottawa) (Ottawa’s [Gay Village](https://bliptext.com/articles/gay-village)) with support from the [Bank Street](https://bliptext.com/articles/bank-street-ottawa) BIA.\nFrom July 8 to 14, 2002, Ottawa Police and the LGBT Police Liaison Committee actively participated in Pride events.\nThey reported a historic milestone with a record-breaking attendance of over 55,000 people at the July 14th Pride parade.\nOn June 11, 2003, Renée Sauve and Tracey Braun made history as the first same-sex couple to be married in Ottawa.\nCommencing on November 20, 2003, the first [Transgender Day of Remembrance](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender-day-of-remembrance) vigil in Ottawa was held at the [Human Rights Monument](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-tribute-to-human-rights) on Elgin Street.\nApproximately 50 attendees, including various transgender individuals, were present, alongside members from Pink Triangle Services, Pflag, Egale, the Ottawa Police Service, and local union representatives.\nThe vigil was organized by Melanie P.\nOn July 10, 2004, the inaugural **Ottawa Dyke March** took place, signifying solidarity with [dyke marches](https://bliptext.com/articles/dyke-march) globally.\nOver the years, this event has expanded from a march, rally, and community picnic to also serve as a deliberate and peaceful political protest.\nThe Ottawa Dyke March aims to enhance the visibility of dykes, advocate for political change, and protest against the corporatization of the Pride Parade, among other vital causes.\nIn 2006, for instance, after the march, participants had a picnic complemented by a variety show and other events, furthering the event's alignment with its core values.\nNotably, the theme for 2018 was 'Dykes Shaping the Arts,' placing a spotlight on dyke artists for the first time.\n\n### Pride Rescheduled from July to August\nIn 2005, the Pride Festival was relocated from Bank Street back to Festival Plaza due to high costs and Pride Committee’s outstanding debts.\nAdditionally, the festival dates were rescheduled from July to August due to availability constraints at the Festival Plaza.\nThis is why Ottawa's Pride festival takes place in mid-August, hosting its Pride Parade in late August.\nPublished on August 25, 2005, Allendria Brunjes of The Charlatan newspaper at Carleton University interviews Tamara Stammis, the chair of planning and events for Ottawa Pride Week:\nAllendria Brunjes states in her article:\n \n This year the celebration started August 19 and will run until August 28, 2005 the day of the pride parade. \n \nAllendria Brunjes quotes Tamara Stammis:\n \n \"the events this year are not at the same place or time as usual due to financial issues.\" \n \"We had to move the date and the site because it was not feasible for us to close Bank Street again,\" she said, adding that \"Festival Plaza, where most of the events are being held, was the best option and it was booked at other plausible times.\"\n \n \n\n## Financial Challenges and Rebranding\nStarting in 2006, the Pride Week Committee of Ottawa-Gatineau faced financial challenges, leading to a five-year hiatus in printing the Pride Guide.\n[Capital Xtra](https://bliptext.com/articles/xtra-ottawa) stepped in, publishing the Ultimate Pride Guide during this period until the end of 2010.\nBetween 2006 and 2008, the Ottawa Pride festival underwent a rebranding, changing its name from Ottawa Pride to Capital Pride.\n\n## Evolution and Milestones (2010s)\nIn 2010, Pride Week included a [rugby](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-union) match between [Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada)'s only two predominantly gay [rugby](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-union) teams, the [Toronto Muddy York](https://bliptext.com/articles/muddy-york-rfc) and the [Ottawa Wolves](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-wolves-rfc).\nThe historic match was played on the main lawn of [Parliament](https://bliptext.com/articles/parliament-hill) on August 28, 2010.\nOn November 20, 2010, Ottawa's [Transgender Day of Remembrance](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender-day-of-remembrance) featured the inaugural use of the \"[Trans Flag](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender-flag),\" designed by Michelle Lindsay.\nThe event marked its significance with official unveilings by Ottawa Police, Paramedics, and City Halls in both Ottawa and Gatineau in 2010 and 2011.\nAugust 2011 marked a significant moment as, for the first time in five years, the Pride Week Committee produced its official Pride Guide for the Capital Pride Festival in Ottawa and Gatineau.\nOn October 14, 2011, Jamie Hubley, son of Ottawa city councillor [Allan Hubley](https://bliptext.com/articles/allan-hubley), tragically took his own life after enduring relentless anti-gay bullying.\nHis struggles, starting in Grade 7, included incidents like students attempting to force batteries into his mouth due to his preference for figure skating over ice hockey|hockey.\nIn response, numerous Canadian media and political figures contributed videos to the online [It Gets Better Project](https://bliptext.com/articles/it-gets-better-project).\nAdditionally, spurred by Jamie Hubley's heartbreaking experience, the [Legislative Assembly of Ontario](https://bliptext.com/articles/legislative-assembly-of-ontario) passed a 2012 act imposing stricter penalties for bullying in schools.\nOn November 4, 2011, Ottawa officially designates Bank Street in Centretown as the 'Gay Village,' adorned with rainbow signs.\nIn 2014, Capital Pride ran into financial troubles after 'accounting irregularities' kept the organization from paying vendors over $100,000.\nThe organization declared bankruptcy in December 2014.\nIn early 2015, Ottawa Capital Pride implemented a new governance structure, introducing the Community Advisory Committee for direction and policies, and the Festival Operations Committee for managing the annual festival.\nThey rebranded, adopting the term 'Rainbow Community' and a 'Super Rainbow' logo, while naming the festival Fierté dans la Capital(e) Pride Festival.\nOn June 1, 2016, a historic moment unfolded on [Parliament Hill](https://bliptext.com/articles/parliament-hill) in Ottawa as [Prime Minister Justin Trudeau](https://bliptext.com/articles/justin-trudeau) raised the [Pride flag](https://bliptext.com/articles/pride-flag) for the first time in Canadian history.\nThis symbolic gesture acknowledged the persistent efforts of those who tirelessly fought for equal rights for LGBT Canadians.\nIn July 2017, Ottawa Capital Pride requested off-duty [Ottawa Police](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-police-service) attending the August festival not to wear uniforms during the parade to foster inclusivity.\nInitially opposed, Chief Bordeleau later agreed, fostering dialogue with LGBTQ2 police.\nThe request aimed to address discomfort in marginalized communities, showcasing a commitment to progress despite disagreements and acknowledging complexities in building trust and inclusivity.\nOn August 27, 2017, [Prime Minister Justin Trudeau](https://bliptext.com/articles/justin-trudeau) made history as the first sitting prime minister to participate in the Ottawa Capital Pride parade.\nAdditionally, General Jonathan Vance, the [Chief of the Defence Staff](https://bliptext.com/articles/chief-of-the-defence-staff-canada), joined other senior members of the [Canadian Armed Forces](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-armed-forces), including heads of the [army](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-army) and [navy](https://bliptext.com/articles/royal-canadian-navy).\nA substantial LGBTQ2 contingent of approximately 100 uniformed military personnel contributed to the parade, celebrating the strength found in diversity.\nOn November 28, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a historic apology in the House of Commons, acknowledging the injustices faced by LGBTQ Canadians during the [Gay Purges](https://bliptext.com/articles/gay-purges-canada).\nMany were criminally charged or dismissed from the Canadian military, mounted police, or federal public service due to their sexual orientation.\nFrom August 19 to 26, 2018, Ottawa Pride hosted its largest pride celebration to date, drawing a record-breaking attendance of over 105,000 festival-goers.\nOn August 17, 2019, Ottawa Mayor [Jim Watson](https://bliptext.com/articles/jim-watson-canadian-politician) publicly came out as gay, marking a historic moment just before Pride Week.\nHis revelation made history as he became Ottawa's first openly gay mayor.\nCapital Pride announced the appointment of its first-ever executive director, Osmel Guerra Maynes, on January 6, 2020.\n\n## COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021)\n2020\nOn May 11, 2020, Ottawa's in-person Pride festival and parade were cancelled due to the [COVID-19 pandemic in Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic-in-canada).\nOntario's state of emergency extension and the City of Ottawa's prohibition on city-led mass events, parades, and festivities prompted this decision.\nCapital Pride opted for an online 'Virtual Festival' held from August 23 to 30, 2020, themed 'Wherever We Are.' The event featured a Miss Capital Pride pageant, won by [Icesis Couture](https://bliptext.com/articles/icesis-couture), who later triumphed in the [second season](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada-s-drag-race-season-2) of [Canada's Drag Race](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada-s-drag-race) in 2021.\n2021\nThe Virtual Capital Pride Festival took place from August 22 to 29, 2021, with the theme 'We Still Demand!' commemorating the 50th anniversary of the historic '[We Demand Rally](https://bliptext.com/articles/we-demand)' for [LGBT rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbt-rights-in-canada) on Parliament Hill on August 28, 1971.\nOn August 11, 2021, it was announced that a limited-capacity, one-day, in-person event would be held outdoors on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park, taking place on Sunday, August 29, 2021, from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm.\n\n## After the pandemic (2022-present)\nOn June 1, 2022, the [Ottawa Trans Library](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-trans-library) opened in the [Hintonburg](https://bliptext.com/articles/hintonburg) neighbourhood as a non-profit lending library and community center focused on trans issues.\nIts collection includes works by trans authors and fiction with trans characters, serving as an educational resource hub for both the Ottawa trans community and the general public.\n**Hate Crimes Surge:** Reported [hate crimes](https://bliptext.com/articles/hate-crimes) against transgender, agender, and sexual orientation have surged in recent years, according to [Statistics Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/statistics-canada).\n[Chief Eric Stubbs](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-police-service) emphasized the likelihood of [underreporting](https://bliptext.com/articles/underreporting) of hate crimes and hate-and-bias-motivated incidents against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, acknowledging their actual prevalence is higher.\nHe stressed the importance of reporting these incidents, noting that police data provides only a partial understanding of the issue.\nOn August 25, 2023, in downtown Ottawa, the March for [Trans Rights](https://bliptext.com/articles/[transgender](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender)-rights-in-canada) took place, advocating for increased support and visibility for [transgender](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender) individuals.\nCo-organizer Fae Johnstone, also the [Grand Marshal](https://bliptext.com/articles/grand-marshal) of the 2023 Capital Pride Parade, emphasized the importance of solidarity and action amidst ongoing challenges faced by the trans community.\nThe [march](https://bliptext.com/articles/transgender-rights-movement) highlighted concerns regarding [safer schools](https://bliptext.com/articles/pink-shirt-day), refugee support, healthcare access, and discrimination.\nSpeakers at the trans rally included Fae Johnstone, Jade Peek, co-organizer and Director of Operations with [Kind Space](https://bliptext.com/articles/kind-space), Celeste Trianon, a trans advocate and organizer of the Montreal [Trans March](https://bliptext.com/articles/trans-march), Tara Sypniewski, a trans historian and founder of the [Ottawa Trans Library](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa-trans-library), and Sharp Dopler, a carrier of ceremony and [LGBT Purge](https://bliptext.com/articles/gay-purges-canada) survivor.\nThey collectively discussed the importance of inclusive policies and societal acceptance, reaffirming their commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all participants despite potential challenges.\nOn August 27, 2023, the annual [Pride Parade](https://bliptext.com/articles/pride-parade) attracted thousands of participants and spectators to downtown [Ottawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa) streets adorned with [rainbow colours](https://bliptext.com/articles/rainbow-flag-lgbt).\nApproximately 10,000 individuals took part in the parade, with thousands more lining the route along Elgin Street, Gladstone Avenue, and Kent Street.\nParticipants highlighted the significance of attending the parade in light of concerns over increasing [anti-trans hate](https://bliptext.com/articles/transphobia) across [Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada).\nFae Johnstone, the Grand Marshal of the parade, stressed the importance of solidarity and advocacy within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.\nIn conjunction with the parade, the [federal government](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-federal-government) announced funding of up to $1.9 million for seven [2SLGBTQI+](https://bliptext.com/articles/lgbtq) organizations in the Ottawa area.\nThis funding coincided with the parade and underscores the government's commitment to supporting 2SLGBTQI+ initiatives and organizations in the region.\nOn August 6, 2024, Ottawa Capital Pride published a statement on their website expressing solidarity with Palestinians, including references to an \"ongoing genocide\" in Gaza.\nThis statement became the focal point of significant controversy, particularly drawing backlash from several Jewish organizations.\nIn response, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced that he would not attend any Capital Pride events in 2024.\nFollowing this, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and the Ottawa Hospital also decided to withdraw their participation from the parade.\nCHEO's CEO, Alex Munter, cited concerns that the Pride Parade had shifted from supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community to protesting Israel, making some members of the community feel unsafe or unwelcome.\n\n# Ottawa Pride Festival timeline\nThe first recorded Ottawa Pride event took place on June 28, 1986, and marked the beginning of Pride celebrations in the city.\nThe first Ottawa Pride Parade took place on Sunday June 18, 1989.\nThe second Ottawa Pride Parade occurred on June 17, 1990.\nInitially, City Council proclaimed it \"Lesbian and Gay Pride Day,\" but later withdrew the proclamation due to its conflict with Father's Day.\nNevertheless, following legal action led by Pride Week coordinator Graham Haig, an Ontario Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of Ottawa Pride, reinstating the day and allowing the parade to proceed.\nDespite this legal victory, Ottawa Pride was not immune to the local political disputes that characterized much of the 1990s, which included ongoing conflicts over proclamations.\nOver the years, the Ottawa Capital Pride Parade has grown in size and significance, attracting participants and spectators from various backgrounds who come together to show their support and solidarity.\n\n## Main Pride Festival Events\nWhile Ottawa Pride Parades typically take place on the fourth Sunday of August, it’s important to be aware that there may be occasional variations due to factors such as event planning, logistics, and community considerations.\n\n# Winter Pride\n**Winter Pride** is an annual festival in [Ottawa](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottawa) and [Gatineau](https://bliptext.com/articles/gatineau), collaborating with [Winterlude](https://bliptext.com/articles/winterlude), managed by [Canadian Heritage](https://bliptext.com/articles/department-of-canadian-heritage) since 1979.\nOttawa Pride joined in 2019.\nStay informed about the latest 2SLGBTQI+ events during Winterlude by using the official calendar filter on the [Winterlude website.](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined)\n\n## Winter Pride Festival Events\n\n# Gallery","revisionCount":0},"hasMore":false,"nextCursor":null}