Yesterday & Today
Pride Season is a term that refers to the wide range of Pride events that takes place over the summer when 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and allies worldwide come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Although special attention is put on Pride events during summer months, they happen throughout the year in many communities across Canada.
In Canada, 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of Pride gatherings that emerged from the first large-scale protests for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights that took place in Ottawa and Vancouver. Also in 1971, the document We Demand was presented to the federal government asking for changes to discriminatory federal laws and policies. By 1973, Pride events were held in several large Canadian cities, and today, many local events take place across the country throughout the year.
In 2017, the Prime Minister delivered a historic apology to 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians that has taken meaningful steps towards building a safer and consciously more inclusive country. In March 2022, a bold and dynamic design was chosen for the 2SLGBTQIA+ National Monument to be built in downtown Ottawa by 2025. This monument will educate, memorialize, celebrate and inspire diversity and inclusion in Canadian society was revealed. In August 2022, the first ever Federal 2SLGBTQIA+ Action Plan was released following a community engagement process with more than 25,000 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians; some preliminary survey results can be found here.
While great progress has been made since the days of protests and the federal public service purge, the Public Service Pride Network Network (PSPN) acknowledges that the fight for equality is not over. As long as discrimination of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any other forms of discrimination exist, our voices will be loud and proud.
Part of making our voices heard is to actively participate in the PSPN events, celebrations and programs including this year’s 5th Public Service Pride Week, which takes place from August 21 to 25, 2023.
Happy Public Service Pride Week!
August 21 to August 25, 2023
This year’s theme is Taking Action to Create a More Inclusive Public Service
Taking Action to Create a More Inclusive Public Service
Public Service Pride Week is an opportune time for us to reflect on the progress we have made, and more importantly to talk about the concrete actions each one of us is taking to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Inclusion cannot happen without concrete action and this year’s PSPW encourages people to take those actions.
Events Calendar
This year's Public Service Pride Week (PSPW) promises to be at once a truly remarkable celebration of our collective achievements in creating an inclusive and diverse public service but also serves as a call to action for the work that still remains. PSPW is an opportunity for us to come together, to learn from one another and showcase the intersections of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
The events curated this year showcase the diversity and intersections of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, with several events highlighting Indigenous voices and others that showcase voices from the Black and Acadian queer communities.
Here is the information that you have all been waiting for!
Please Note that Events posted to our website will not include meeting and/or registration links.
To find meeting and/or registration links, please visit our GCconnex Events page.