Next week is the Capital Pride Festival in Ottawa, an annual celebration of Ottawa’s Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual + (2SLGBTQQIA+) communities. It’s also a time to reflect on the progress made to date, the work still to do, and how each of us has a role in fostering true inclusion and belonging.
The festival returns with in-person events, including new programming and annual favourites, beginning on Sunday, August 21 until Sunday, August 28.
This year’s theme is “All Together Now,” a tribute to the community reuniting for an in-person celebration and reconnecting to celebrate the full diversity of Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities.
I look forward to celebrating with my friends and colleagues from Ottawa Public Health and Ottawa Community Housing as we join in on the Pride Parade August 28. But it is more than just celebrating it is a time for us to come together, reflect on the challenges that are still being faced, acknowledge the achievements that have been made and most importantly recognize the importance of continuing to advocate for action because our communities can be stronger when we come together.
