A Joyous Celebration of Pride

Gordon Neighbourhood House has a rich history of participating in Pride advocacy and festivities. Some of our staff fondly recall creating a parade float for the very first Pride parade with vehicles, over thirty years ago! They also remember the discouraging challenge of recruiting a flatbed truck driver, eventually settling on someone who wore a disguise while driving to avoid being publicly associated with the event due to negative public perception at the time.

As an organization, we have celebrated Pride with neighbours in many ways. We have supported residents with space and funding to host one of the first drag story time events in the city (which faced threats of protest). We have collaborated with partners to host annual Aging with Pride events for seniors and co-hosted Absolutely Fabulous Pride parties with Black Lives Matter Vancouver. Our youth group built a 25-foot-long Pride sign for the Davie Village. Working with neurodiverse neighbors, we created sensory-friendly parade viewing spaces and hosted some of our neighborhood’s first sensory-safe Pride parties.

Did you also know that in the 80s, Gordon Neighbourhood House provided specialized programs for young male sex workers? Or are you aware that AIDS Vancouver had meetings in our building when they faced difficulties finding space due to the prevailing prejudice and negative attitudes of the time? These are just a few examples of our ongoing commitment to celebrating and supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the West End.

This year hundreds of neighbors came together for a memorable Pride BBQ dedicated to celebrating diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Unlike previous events we have hosted that focused on creating safe spaces for specific equity-deserving groups within the community, this all-ages event was intended to bring the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies together.

The event took place on a sunny evening in the plaza in front of Gordon Neighbourhood House on Broughton Street and featured community art, live music, BBQ, face-painting, and crafts. While the lemonade, popcorn, and hot dogs were popular, the highlight of the evening was the live drag performances by Dandy, Peter, Ginny, Phyllis, and Valentina. The amazing performances had everyone dancing, singing, and celebrating the beauty of self-expression. This event not only aimed to bring people together but also to highlight the importance of allyship and the uplifting of LGBTQ+ voices. Rooted in the spirit of Pride, which is both a joyous celebration and a protest against inequality, our BBQ served as a powerful reminder of the need for understanding and acceptance to create a truly inclusive society.

The success of the Pride BBQ lies in the spirit of togetherness and acceptance that permeated the event. It was heartwarming to see people of all backgrounds, ages, and identities coming together to celebrate love, diversity, and equality. The event reinforced that Pride is not just about a single day of celebration but about continuous efforts to foster an inclusive and supportive community for all.