June 28 2022, Moh’kinsstis (Calgary) – The Calgary Pride Board of Directors has asked a jury of 2SLGBTQ+ community members, who represent a variety of lived experiences and intersections, to determine which political parties will be allowed to march in the 2022 Calgary Pride parade.
In keeping with the recommendations of our community engagement, political parties will need to submit supplementary information as part of their application and the jury will utilize a distinct evaluation criteria. Parties are more likely to be included if their official positions and recent efforts are deemed to have advanced and protected the rights of marginalized people – including the 2SLGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, and folks with Disabilities communities. Parties will be excluded if their mandates, recent efforts, or suggested policies harm or hold back our communities.
In 2019, the Calgary Pride Board of Directors made the decision to disallow political parties from participating in the Parade & Festival. To help reflect on our decision and policy options, Calgary Pride asked for public and stakeholder input on a way forward. In 2020, two events were held to collect feedback on this issue – a public open house with community members and a stakeholder roundtable that heard from political party representatives. Following the recommendations of this engagement, Calgary Pride will permit political parties to apply for participation in the 2022 Parade & Festival.
Calgary Pride is committed to on-going engagement with the 2SLGBTQ+ community – to learn what works best and to regularly update our policies. We understand that political and social contexts are constantly changing and that transparency and flexibility are paramount. Calgary Pride recognizes the essential impact politicians and their parties have on the lives of 2SLGBQ+ communities. As an organization, we do not only celebrate the spirit of our community with an annual parade and festival, we advocate for the rights and freedoms of Calgary’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Political parties can learn more about the criteria and apply until July 10 at 11:59 PM MST through this form: https://forms.gle/ddDguJTSg9ashQBx5
If you would like to schedule an interview please contact:
Brit Nickerson (she/they)
Communications Manager
Calgary Pride
403-536-4077
brit@calgarypride.ca
About Calgary Pride
Calgary Pride is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization. Our mandate is to advance visibility and inclusion for Calgary’s gender and sexually diverse communities; to do this, we endeavour to build strong community partnerships, implement ongoing programs like Reading with Royalty, Queerly Festive, Evolve: Pride Amplified, and Calgary’s premier celebration of diversity, Calgary Pride Week, Parade & Festival.
Calgary Pride proudly serves Treaty 7, on the traditional territory of the Niitsitapi (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), Îyarhe Nakoda (Chiniki, Bearspaw, Wesley) and the Tsuut’ina. This land is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. This place, where the Elbow river meets the Bow, is known by many names to many people, including Mohkínstsis (Niitsitapi), Wincheesh-pah (Nakoda), Kootsisáw (Tsuu’tina), Otos-kwunee (Cree), and Calgary (English).
We thank the Indigenous communities of Turtle Island for both the historic and ongoing stewardship and protection of the land we collectively inhabit today. Many nations and people, Indigenous and non, are fortunate to call Moh’kinsstis and Treaty 7 territory our home. Acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol, which we honour as a step towards reconciliation and fulfilling our responsibilities as Treaty people. Working alongside all Nations, Indigenous and non, we strive to create safe spaces where everyone can live openly and authentically.
