Folks of all stripes are being welcomed to come together in celebration of Pride Week across the North Shore.
This week is filled with events that celebrate the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and remind the general public of ongoing inequities facing queer individuals.
Celebrations include flag raisings, drag duels and the annual Pride at the Pier bash.
On Monday, District of West Vancouver held a Pride Flag-raising ceremony at its Municipal Hall. The City of North Vancouver hosted its own ceremony, which included raising the Pride Flag, Transgender Flag and Bisexual Flag in Civic Plaza as well as lighting up City Hall in Pride colours.
Over the past year, we’ve seen the rights of LGBTQAI2S+ people attacked, questioned and clawed back, North Van city Mayor Linda Buchanan said in a statement.
“That’s why the city is proud to support Pride Week,” she said. “Pride is a celebration and protest. We are animating public spaces and supporting events across the community because we are a city for all people.”
On Wednesday at noon, drag story time and crafts can be viewed on the North Shore Pride Alliance’s YouTube channel.
Wildeye Brewery in North Van will host Duelling Pianos and Duelling Drag Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The alliance is also hosting Thursday evening’s screening of Hairspray at The Polygon Gallery at 7 p.m.
On Friday, there’ll be pride-themed story time via North Vancouver City Library’s YouTube channel with readings and crafts from local drag legend Conni Smudge (Chris Bolton). Smudge will also be at the library on Saturday, Aug. 27 to read pride-positive stories.
Head to The Shipyards near Lonsdale Quay after 5 p.m. Friday for Pride at the Pier, featuring DJ music, drag performances and an eight-foot-tall Pride-inspired sand sculpture created by artist Craig Mutch.
This article has been updated to clarify that Conni Smudge will be at the City Library on Saturday, Aug. 27, not on July 30.
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