Pride Calgary officially kicks off its 2008 season this coming June 8th at 12 noon, as thousands of spectators come to Stephen Avenue to watch a celebration like no other. As the second largest parade in Calgary (next to the Stampede Parade), gays, lesbians, bisexuals, trans-identified, and two-spirited, as well as their allies proudly display their unity in diversity.
Pride celebrations occur internationally, immortalizing the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Perhaps the most frequented bar in New York “by hustlers, drag queens, bar-dykes and other young, restless homosexuals”, the Stonewall Inn was a target of New York City Police’s fight for Puritanism and social morality. Often raided, the Inn’s patrons were frequently jailed, beaten, raped, and humiliated by New York’s authorities. Nevertheless, this ”underbelly of society” continued to stand proud and celebrate who they were by going right back to the Inn.
On June 21st, 1969, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn had enough. Rather than being taken down without a fight, hundreds of gays, lesbians, drag queens, butch dykes, and any other customer that happened to wander in on that fateful evening, rebelled. Unbeknownst to them, they set a precedent for all queer communities. After three days of rioting police were unable to take down a crowd that had now grown into thousands. With the few that they did arrest, the media captured the cruelty and homophobia that was blatantly occurring in plain sight. In a decade of change and social liberation, this complete hatred and discrimination became a catalyst for the establishment of the Gay Rights Movement. Today, we celebrate this victory through Pride.
Calgary has been officially celebrating Pride for 18 years. In 1990, 192 brave and proud souls rallied, some with paper bags over their heads, to march down the streets of Calgary. Calgary Pride, as we know it today, really only began in 1991. The parade was led by The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch with Empress XIV Tiffany and Double-Crown Emperor XI & XIV Kris the Kaiser in the lead car.
On June 8th this year, the Parade will be lead by Parade Marshall Dr. Darren E. Lund. Dr. Lund is a professor at the University of Calgary, and a Human Rights Advocate. In 2002, a local pastor working with troubled youth in Red Deer, sent a letter to the Red Deer Advocate claiming that “our children, your grandchildren, are being strategically targeted, psychologically abused and brainwashed by homosexual and pro-homosexual educators.” Apparently the concept of being an alienated and tormented gay youth in a small town didn’t register with this pastor.
Lund disagreed with the pastor’s assertion, and filed a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission. It wasn’t until 2005 that a ruling was passed, dismissing the charge as a failure in judgment on behalf of the Red Deer Advocate in publishing the letter. Undeterred, Dr. Lund continued his fight with a letter to the chief government human rights official. An appeal was granted, and the pastor was held responsible for “publication of the letter which contained the inflammatory, hateful, and untruthful comments being complained about.” A true crusader for human rights, Dr. Darren E. Lund represents what Pride Calgary is celebrating.
Following behind Dr. Lund will be a multicolored grouping of individuals, groups, non-profit organizations, and businesses on floats, cars, trucks, and on foot – marching by the estimated 3500 plus spectators. The parade will lead into Olympic Plaza (7th Street and MacLeod Trail SW) where the Street Gala will be held. From 12 noon until 6pm there will be enough entertainment, food, drink, and businesses to keep you occupied for the whole afternoon.
On stage, local Calgary DJs will be spinning all day, while countless brave souls cool off in the wading pool. There will be a large beer garden, quenching the thirst of many, and a variety of food vendors happy to keep you fed throughout the day. Spread throughout the park will be local businesses, non-profits, and organizations, showing you what they have to offer and keeping you informed of what is happening in Calgary. This is a perfect opportunity to get involved! Kids will also have a great time at this family-friendly event with the inflatable castle in the Adventure Zone, conveniently placed next to the Lost and Found Tent - just in case.
On June 24th, Pride Calgary 2008 will close with its largest event ever, Celebration 2008. This occasion will bring together the community and their allies through dance and entertainment. Located at the exquisite Chinese Cultural Centre (197 1st Street SW), Celebration 2008 promises to be an affair to remember. DJs Wax Romeo and Christina Skeith will bring the house down with tunes that will appeal to all. Memorable performances by the fabulous Khole Dube, Sydney Sterling, and Pride Calgary’s Princess will knock your socks off, as will the presentations by the Silver Fever Dance Troupe, Fake Mustache, and The Latin Corner Dance Studio. With a little luck, you could leave at the end of the night with a portion of the $1500 of door prizes!
The Pride Calgary Association has worked tirelessly through the last few months to make sure that this year’s Pride is the best ever. They would like to thank their volunteers, sponsors, and vendors for all of their support. There has been some amazing suggestions and feedback from the Calgary gay community, and the Pride Board wants to ensure that they hear what is being said. There is a renewed energy amongst the Board to ensure that Pride Calgary is just as large as that of other major metropolitan cities in Canada. There is an immense gay community in Calgary, and the Pride Board wants to make sure that they are recognized and introduced to the city.
It is said that the best advertisement is word-of-mouth, and the Pride Board has realized this within the last year. It is so important to spread the word about what is offered in the community, and the Board encourages everyone to bring a friend or two to the events. Keep informed of all Pride information by checking out the Pride Calgary website at www.pridecalgary.ca, or by joining their Facebook group, or reading the Official Pride Calgary Pride Guide in this edition of GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine!
There is still time to support Pride! If you or your organization would like to take part in the Parade, Street Gala, or be a Vendor, simply register on the website as soon as possible. To become a member of the Pride Calgary Association contact dallas@pridecalgary.ca to get this set up. With the escalating attendance and involvement with the festivities, Pride Calgary is still looking for volunteers that can volunteer any spare time they may have to assist in its success. If this is something you are interested in please contact volunteers@pridecalgary.ca.
Pride Calgary would like to involve not only the gay community, but also all supporters as well to join in on the celebration. There have already been numerous supporters taking part in Pride activities, and more are always welcome. This being said, there will be a number of monthly events scheduled throughout the year that the Pride Board encourages all to take part in. Keep up to speed by checking out the Pride Calgary website.
Community is an integral part of what Pride Calgary stands for, but no single bar, business, or organization can attain community on their own. Pride is about coming together, no matter what your sexual orientation, gender, gender choice, cultural or ethnic background, colour, age, physical or mental ability, socioeconomic status or political, religious or social affiliation or beliefs may be. In doing so, Pride seeks to identify and remove barriers to full participation in Calgary’s diverse community. So come out on June 8th to be a part of this monumental celebration.
Pride Calgary 2008
Parade and Street Gala
Stephen Avenue and Olympic Plaza
June 8th, 2008
12pm - 6pm

Celebration 2008
Chinese Cultural Centre
June 21st, 2008
8pm - 2am
Tickets: $25.00, available at Priape, Money Pennies, The Eagle, and at the door

www.pridecalgary.ca