JACK's Guide To Pride 2022

Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) is excited to announce its full schedule for the 2022 season. The organization has planned a variety of signature and partnered events spanning a mostly in-person lineup with digital experiences for those who choose to experience Pride differently amid COVID-19 safety measures. This year’s festival is themed Together Again and is meant to highlight the excitement and importance of 2SLGBTQAI+ communities taking up space and gathering for in-person, community focused events once more. Programming will run throughout the city for nearly two months beginning today, June 6. The dedicated Vancouver Pride week, with signature events including the Vancouver Pride Parade and Sunset Beach Festival, will take place from July 21 to August 1.

“It’s been three years since we’ve had our major in-person Pride events in Vancouver for a variety of reasons,” said Lee Keple, Interim Executive Director of VPS. “COVID-19 has presented a number of challenges for event organizers like us as well as the 2SLGBTQAI+ communities that we serve. To have our signature programming safely return to Vancouver, to see these communities coming together again to celebrate Pride—it’s something we’ve been waiting for and working towards for a long time.”

VPS’s first signature event, East Side Pride will take place later this month on June 25 in Grandview Park. Attendees can look forward to this free, all ages experience featuring an array of diverse performances, 2SLGBTQAI+ community vendors, as well as food and drink trucks. In the evening, celebrations will continue in partnership with Do604 at Thrive With Pride, the official after party at Fox Cabaret. At this 19+ event, local shining stars will grace the stage to perform musical numbers, drag and more.

Vancouver’s Pride Parade will take place in downtown Vancouver on July 31. The organization is delighted to announce this year’s Grand Marshals are Annie Ohana, an educator and community activist with a background in organizing and anti-oppression work; Emperor Victor the Victorious and Empress Fancy Pants representing the Dogwood Monarchist Society, a not-for-profit organization tasked with providing social interaction in Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQAI+ community, and Kristen Rivers (tiyaltelut) a member of Squamish Nation Council and a strong advocate for women and 2SLGBTQAI+ rights. All Grand Marshals were selected through a public nomination process.

During Pride week in July, VPS has a stacked lineup of programming outside of the parade. Some highlights include an online discussion of queer history rooted in what’s colonially known as Vancouver, a series of partnered lounges that will pop up throughout the city with a brand new location set for Granville Island, and the return of Drag Deliveries—a drag road crew taking the streets of Vancouver to perform trivia and giveaways for innocent bystanders.

“Each year, the Vancouver Pride Society is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we have all achieved for the 2SLGBTQAI+ community and a reminder that there is still more work to do,” said Grant Minish, National Manager – 2SLGBTQAI+ Business Development, TD Bank Group. “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing support of the Vancouver Pride Society and remain committed to helping create a more inclusive tomorrow. Together, we are helping create the conditions needed for all members of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community in Metro Vancouver to fully participate and succeed in a changing world.”

VANCOUVER PRIDE SOCIETY IS EXCITED TO BRING QUEER CELEBRATIONS TO VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER PRIDE SOCIETY EVENT SCHEDULE

East Side Pride
June 25, 11 AM—6 PM, Grandview Park, 1657 Charles St. Vancouver

Kick off Pride season with a chill afternoon of community, artisans and free entertainment. We’ll have giant Jenga, a parachute game for the kids, queer trivia, button making and a barbecue supporting our friends at SAIGE Community Food Bank. This event is made possible with funding from Presenting Sponsor TD and Heritage Canada.

Thrive with Pride
June 25, 7 PM—11 PM, The Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main St. Vancouver

Make your way to Thrive with Pride, the official East Side Pride afterparty. Experience the thrill of live music by 2SLGBTQAI+ and BIPOC artists. Make memories with a beverage in hand, watch a stage that reflects you, and fill your heart with the love around you. Chances to win swag and prizes from Stoli Vodka.

Tickets are now on sale here.

Love Intersections Panel
July 21, 6 PM, Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, SFU Woodwards, 149 West Hastings

Join Love Intersections at a screening of Yellow Peril Queer Destiny and Richard Fung’s Re: Orientations. Watch a follow-up with the filmmakers and Maiden China reflecting on the themes of the original film in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the spike in anti-Asian violence. The screening will be followed by a panel on intergenerational queer East Asian solidarity and community building.

Rainbow Lounge
July 22—24, 28—31. 12 PM—12 AM, weekdays, 12 PM—2 AM, weekends. Ocean Arts Pavillion

Celebrate Pride week at Vancouver Pride’s first-ever activation on Granville Island! Take in the views and art that the official Rainbow Lounge has to offer. Sip on cold drinks in the summer heat at the Ocean Arts Pavilion. Enjoy lounge-style entertainment featuring your favourite local drag performers and musicians. Thanks to our event sponsors Stoli Vodka, Vizzy Seltzer, Bud Light and Stanley Park Brewing.

Afroqueer
July 31, 1 PM—8 PM Beaumont Studios, 316 W 5th Ave

AfroQueer seeks to create safer spaces of healing love and celebration during Pride season. Pride Sunday invites the Afro-diasporic Queer community in Vancouver to freely enjoy the sounds of our lands and culture, acknowledging the necessity for programming centering underserved Queer identifying Black community in Vancouver, uninterrupted and intergenerational! Promoting joy and uplifting African artistic expression, the event serves as an opportunity to embrace an empowering approach to pride celebration, reflecting the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and filling the gap by expanding the musical diversity and representation throughout the year, especially during pride season.

Pride Proclamation & Flag Raising Ceremony
July 25, 11:30AM—12PM, Livestream

Vancouver Pride Society launches its 2022 Season, Together Again at Pride Proclamation & Flag Raising Ceremony. Witness the annual reading from Mayor Kennedy Stewart, a welcome from our host nations, and the introduction of this year’s Grand Marshals!

Drag Deliveries
July 25—31. 5 PM—6 PM, West End and Downtown Vancouver

Calling all drag stans! Meet our street team along with your favourite local drag performers to answer iconic Pride trivia, test your knowledge, and win some FREE swag! Watch VPS socials to find out where you and your besties can find us each day!

Queer History Panel
July 26, 7 PM—8:30 PM, Livestream

It is of utmost importance to continue to learn and unlearn. We therefore highly encourage folks to attend the Vancouver Queer History Panel on our YouTube channel. Moderated by Charmaine de Silva, the panel is an excellent opportunity to connect with various queer activists. Join Brandon Yan, Chris Morrissey, Paige Frewer, Karmella Barr and Orene Askew as they share their experiences with us. This is a virtual event you do not want to miss!

Theatre Under the Stars
July 26, 7:30 PM—9:30 PM, Stanley Park

Theatre Under Stars is thrilled to host its fourth annual Pride Night, the official kickoff event for this year’s Vancouver Pride Week! Audiences will enjoy all the hard rocking international phenomenon, “We Will Rock You,” celebrating Queer icon Freddie Mercury and QUEEN’s iconic songbook. Join in for a high-octane feast for the senses! All seat cushions and programme donations from the night will be matched by TUTS in support of Vancouver Pride Society.

Pride Neighbourhood Patio at Bentall
July 28—30, 12 PM—8 PM, Bentall Center Plaza

Live it up in the Pride Neighborhood Patio at Bentall Centre! Enjoy a hot summer night with drinks, music and drag in the heart of Vancouver. Delight in performances from your local favourites, make memories and have a truly unforgettable Pride.

Terry Wallace Memorial Breakfast
July 30, 8 AM—12 PM, 1100 Bute St.

In years of financial uncertainty, Terry Wallace, funded and sustained the Pride Parade, through Castle Pub’s 50/50 and pull-tab machines. Vancouver Pride honours Wallace’s work by hosting the Annual Terry Wallace Memorial Breakfast. Enjoy a pancake breakfast by-donation in Jim Deva Plaza and commemorate one of our society’s founders. This event is made possible with support from Your Independent Grocer on Davie street who will be cooking up a fabulous breakfast.

Vancouver Pride Parade
July 31, 12 PM—3 PM, Robson St. Denman St. Beach Ave

It’s finally time to get Together Again! Join Vancouver Pride Society, 2SLGBTQAI+ communities, queer serving organizations, and allies in marching for the first in-person Vancouver Pride Parade since 2019. Witness history, make memories and share space with the friends and chosen family you’ve missed. Gather, take up space and be your full authentic selves—together.

JACK 96.9 is proud to be an official partner of this year’s Pride Festival in Vancouver, and is excited to share this year’s experience with the 2SLGBTQAI+ community!

Sunset Beach Festival
July 31, 11 AM—6 PM, Sunset Beach Park, 1204 Beach Avenue

Looking for drag? Music? Snacks? A sweet picnic spot after the parade? Sunset Beach has it all! Visit the artisan market, sip some lemonade at the Community Stage curated by RiceCake, dance your heart out at the TD Main Stage curated by Hotlatch, or grab a naughty-shaped waffle on your way to the beer garden and to check out the Stoli Stage curated by Normie Corp!

19+ Beer Garden at Sunset Beach
July 31, 11 AM—6 PM, Sunset Beach Park, 1204 Beach Avenue

Catch the performances on the Stoli Stage x Normie Corp from Sunset Beach’s Beer Garden. Dance your heart out in this licensed area all afternoon on Pride Weekend.

To get updates:

• Download the Vancouver Pride App on Android or IOS for event updates, the Pride Art Walk map, and to listen to our 2021 #VanVirtualPride performers!
• Like Vancouver Pride on Facebook
• Follow Vancouver Pride on Twitter
• Follow Vancouver Pride on Instagram 
• Subscribe to the Vancouver Pride Youtube channel
• Subscribe to the Vancouver Pride Twitch channel