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 50^th 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.