Vancouver Pride Festival; Destination Vancouver/Vision Event Photography Inc.
Vancouver is known for its annual Pride Parade, this year taking place on August 6, 2023. The diverse and incredibly vibrant parade is reflective of the richness of the city’s 2SLGBTQAI+ communities. Throughout the year, these communities hold multiple events for fostering connection, celebrating individual and collective talent, and honouring past, present, and future.
Here are 10 2SLGBTQAI+ events that are happening in Vancouver over the course of the year:
Vancouver Pride Parade
Vancouver Pride Festival; Destination Vancouver/Vision Event Photography Inc.
Initially an event that was intended to take up space and be visible and proud, the Vancouver Pride Parade has seen considerable evolution. Now in its 45th year, the parade is continually working to reflect the diversity of 2SLGBTQAI+ communities and engaging in decolonization and inclusion of marginalized groups. This year’s Parade, taking place April 6, 2023, is the culmination of Pride Week, which is usually jam packed with events. Last year, there was an Aces and Aros evening, in addition to a Black-centric street party. On the big day, the Parade, which involves over 100 local community groups, non-profits, and companies, is a lively, joyous affair, with a route that starts on Robson Street and eventually ends at Sunset Beach. Bring sunscreen and lots of good cheer.
Vancouver Dyke March and Festival
Vancouver Dyke March and Festival; Photo: Facebook
Taking place August 5, 2023, the Vancouver Dyke March and Festival welcomes those whose intersectional identities (e.g., gender identity or expression) create marginalization for them within mainstream 2SLGBTQAI+ communities.The Dyke March and Festival involves art activities, festivities, as well as a March that meets at a park in East Vancouver and makes its way down Commercial Drive to conclude at Grandview Park.
Vancouver Winter Pride Festival
Vancouver Pride Society; Photo: Facebook
The Vancouver Pride Society holds an annual Winter Pride Festival (usually in February) in celebration of the city’s 2SLGBTQAI+ communities. The festival, which runs just over a week, showcases a range of entertainment and performance forms, including drag, dance, poetry, comedy, dance, as well as education. Last year’s kick-off event was a Unicorn Disco Party, with other events centred on other key initiatives and days in February, such as Black History Month (Black Queer Poetry Slam) and Family Day (Chosen Family Day). Expect a similar range of events next winter to keep everyone connected and buoyant during colder times.
Queer Arts Festival
Photo Credit – Queer Arts Festival (Facebook)
Taking place at various venues in the city each June/July, the Queer Arts Festival (QAF) is presented by Pride in Art Society (PiA), which also produces exhibitions at the queer-mandated SUM gallery throughout the year. QAF is transdisciplinary and reflects PiA’s commitment to ground-breaking, risk-taking, and community-building initiatives. The breadth of QAF’s is exciting, including visual arts, theatre, literature, music, and dance, in addition to art talks, panels, screenings, and workshops.
Vancouver Queer Film Festival
Vancouver Queer Film Festival
Set for August 10-20, 2023, the 35th annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) will be back with in-person and virtual options. The Festival celebrates the stories and representations of 2SLGBTQAI+ communities, encouraging dialogue, thought, and celebration. The Festival features an array of queer films, both local and international, from a wide range of countries and subject positions. Local shorts, Black queer cinema, and Two Spirit and Indigiqueer Cinema are also spotlighted. In addition to screenings, VQFF also hosts fun events and parties as well as workshops.
The Really Gay History Tour
Photo: Forbidden Vancouver
Hosted by Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours, The Really Gay History Tour ($32 for adults, $29 for seniors and youth) takes place on Sundays at 10am, running for 2 to 2.5 hours. Hosted by Glenn Tkach, the tour provides a fascinating and inspiring account of the resilience, vibrancy, and changes within Vancouver’s LGBTQIA2S+ communities. Highlights include the history of Davie Street, Vancouver’s gay village; the story of a drag queen who was pivotal in the fight for federal decriminalization; and the lead-up to the first Pride Parade. The tour ends with a cocktail. A portion of ticket sales goes to Covenant House Vancouver’s Queer Youth Program.
Queer Prov
Photo: QueerProv Facebook
Run by The Queer Improv Society, QueerProv is an improv group that offers shows every Wednesday at The Junction on Davie Street, usually starting at 8pm. These pay-what-you-can evenings (suggested $10 donation) centre queer stories in improv forms. Expect plenty of lively games, longer form narratives, and no shortage of hilarity. QueerProv welcomes all to laugh with community every Wednesday.
The Vancouver Men’s Chorus
Photo: Vancouver Men’s Chorus
The nation’s first gay chorus continues to delight audiences both locally and internationally. The Vancouver Men’s Chorus holds regular performances throughout the year. Their next upcoming shows will be June 9 to 17, 2023, at Granville Island Performance Works. Sizzlin’ Summer (General Admission $45-50, Patron tickets $90-$95, on sale April 17) will see the chorus belting out tunes that are perfect for summer hangouts, whether that’s lazy days at the beach or partying at the pool.
Bingo for Life
Photo: Bingo for Life (Facebook)
Also at The Junction is the very popular and long-running Bingo for Life, hosted by various local drag queens every Tuesday, starting at 7pm. This fundraiser for the Vancouver Friends for Life Society ($10 at the door) is tons of fun and all for a good cause. The Vancouver Friends for Life Society is a holistic wellness centre for individuals with life-challenging illnesses, such as HIV, cancer, and hepatitis C.
Dinner with Carlotta at Bonta
Photo: Bonta Facebook
Bonta Italian Ristorante on Davie Street hosts dinner and drag with Carlotta Gurl every Tuesday, beginning at 7pm. There will be plenty of costume changes and entertainment as you enjoy classic Italian fare, such as Siciliana pizza, meat lasagna, and meatballs with pomodoro sauce.
