Every year, hundreds of thousands of people pour into Downtown Vancouver to celebrate the Vancouver Pride Festival. This festival is not just for members of the LGBTQ+ community, but for allies and anyone who wants to celebrate love, diversity, equality, and civil rights.
Vancouver Pride 2019
The 2019 Vancouver Pride theme is “50 years and still fighting”. This year marks the 50 year anniversary since Bill C-150 was passed to “decriminalize” homosexual acts between consenting adults in Canada. We have come a long way from the abject cruelty and policing we saw in those days, but there’s still work to do. Globally, hate crimes against queer people have risen since 2016, and 2018 was one of the deadliest years on record for trans women. The theme intends to showcase the ongoing struggles of our diverse communities while celebrating how far we’ve come.
Likewise, the Vancouver Pride parade was initially a protest march in the late 70s. Over the last 40 years, Vancouver Pride has grown into a world-class event that attracts around 700,000 visitors every year.
The History of Pride
The path to achieving basic rights for the Queer community has been long and tumultuous. The story goes that the first “Pride” was, in fact, a riot – started by a Black transwoman named Marsha P. Johnson in New York City. It is told that she threw the first brick that set off the Stonewall riots in 1969. In reality, her revolutionary activism extended over the course of years, and many brave people worked together and continue to work for LGBTQIA2S+* rights.
Vancouver Pride Festival 2019 – When, Where, and What to Wear.
Events happening for gay pride in and around Vancouver are going on nearly all summer long. See the Vancouver Pride Society website for lists of official Vancouver Pride events and up to date information. Here are just a few things to check out:
East Side Pride
East Vancouver gets a head start on celebrations with East Side Pride on Saturday, June 22nd, 2019. Celebrate LGBTQ2S+* pride with vendor booths, live music and diverse performances on Commercial Drive. ‘The Drive’ is the unofficial lesbian district, hence it is the location of several w4w** themed Pride events such as D*kes on Bikes pre-gathering and the D*ke March. East Side Pride starts at 12 noon in Grandview Park. Bring a blanket or chairs so you can set up to enjoy performances. This is a free, family-friendly event for everyone.
Pride Premiere 2019
Pride kicks off at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Friday, July 26 at 3:00 pm. There will be a 360-degree party surrounding the VAG slated to last 7 hours! There will be dancing at multiple stages, a beer garden, a market, and lots of organizations there to educate folks about current issues affecting the community. It’s free to attend, though certain areas such as the beer garden may be ticketed.
Vancouver Pride Parade 2019
Vancouver Pride week culminates in the colourful Vancouver Pride parade taking place on Sunday, August 4th. The parade starts at 12 noon on the corner of Robson and Thurlow street and travels through the West End of downtown. The Vancouver Pride parade route ends at Sunset Beach where a massive outdoor beach party continues until 6 p.m.
This lively and colourful event is free and inclusive, though it favours the tallest among us! Parade patrons who are vertically challenged should arrive very early or wear super-high platform heels if they wish to see the 150+ colourful floats passing by. Bring sunscreen, lots of water, a fabulous hat or other covering to set up for a steady stream of entertainment including floats, dancers, marching bands, and more!
Sunset Beach Pride Party
The Sunset Beach Pride Party in Vancouver’s Sunset Beach will feature lots of vendors, DJs, dancing, live entertainment, a beer garden, and more. Bring sunscreen and lots of water because it gets pretty sweaty out there on the sunny ocean-side dance floor. Afterwards, you can cool your loins by dipping your feet in the ocean or hide under the shade of the evergreens in Stanley Park nearby. This event is free and all ages except for the beer garden.
If you have something in your closet you think might be ‘too much’, now is the time to take it out. Folks will be bedecked, bejeweled, and bare-bottomed – really anything goes! Play with colours, go against norms, and try something new. Check the weather report to prepare ahead. Generally, this time of year in Vancouver is sunny and hot, so prioritize keeping cool and protected from the sun.
See our article here for more fun things to do in Vancouver any time of year.
Pride Events in and Around Vancouver
Vancouver Queer Film Festival 2019
This year the Vancouver Queer Film Festival will be taking place from August 15-25th. A diverse collection of films telling queer stories will be shown at multiple venues throughout the city. If you see something you like, get your tickets early because they sell out fast. Stay tuned to the VQFF website for updates and ticket info.
Victoria Pride 2019
The 25th Annual Victoria Pride Festival will be taking place July 7th, and will feature a parade, vendors, and live entertainment. The Victoria Pride Parade will be starting on the corner of Pandora and Government street at 12 noon and landing at McDonald Park on Niagara street in James Bay. They anticipate around 10,000 people will be gathering for the event. Don’t miss Queer as Funk’s live performance, they never disappoint!
Bear in mind that there is a lot going on in the Vancouver area beyond the official pride events. Stay tuned for the 2019 Pride Guide coming this summer for more details. There are endless parties, shows, and other events to attend for all ages and interests. Your biggest challenge will be choosing between them all.
Where to buy tickets
Lots of Pride events are free, but most bars and clubs will have Pride-themed nights that require a cover charge. Tickets for various events can be purchased at Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium in Davie Village. Pick your niche and get your tickets early because this is the biggest celebration of the year and everyone will be there!
Where to Stay in Vancouver
Vancouver has more LGBT+ friendly accommodations than any other Canadian city. This brag is courtesy of TAG, the Travel Alternatives Group, which rates hotels based on Queer-friendly criteria. They have approved 30 hotels in the Vancouver area. Below are some of these LGBT+ friendly hotels in Vancouver for every budget.
Luxury: The Loden Vancouver is a stylish luxury and business hotel right in the heart of Vancouver’s Coal Harbour. It gets rave reviews for cleanliness, great staff, and is within walking distance to the main Vancouver attractions.
Mid-range: Next to the Granville Market, the Granville Island Hotel is a boutique hotel filled with amenities and great vibes to boot. It’s one of Vancouver’s top-rated hotels and gets excellent reviews for cleanliness and location.
Budget: The 2400 Motel is an easily accessible budget stay in Vancouver. Free WiFi, parking, and 24-hour reception here at this LGBT+ friendly motel.
The Gay Village is on and around Davie street in the West End. The Parade and various parties will be happening in the Vicinity of this area, so book early as the hotels near Davie street will fill up very quickly. Hit the hotel search bar below and find a great deal on a Vancouver hotel.
*LGBTQ2S+ stands for “Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Queer, Two-spirited and more”. You may have seen this written as LGBTQIA2S+ – where the “I” stands for Intersex and the “A” stands for Asexual or Ace, for short. You may also have seen LGBTQ+ or just LGBT. Generally, the community strives for inclusion and this requires lots of acronyms, so don’t be shy to google what you don’t know!
**w4w stands for “women for women”.
