Edmonton Pride parade returns this summer for 1st time since 2018

Edmonton is getting its Pride parade back after a six-year hiatus.

The Edmonton Pride Parade is returning to downtown this summer – on Aug. 23.

It’s the first parade in the capital city since 2018.

Pride festivities have since resumed in Edmonton – without a parade.

This year’s three-day weekend celebrations – from Aug. 22 to 24 – begin with a kick-off concert on the Friday, followed by the parade on Saturday, and a brunch sing-long on Sunday.

“After a hiatus, we’re thrilled to bring Edmonton’s Pride Parade back to city streets this summer,” said Trevor Watson, the executive director of the Edmonton PrideFest Association.

“This is a chance for Edmontonians to come together as a community and celebrate the electrifying experience of Pride.”

However, those representing trans and people of colour in Edmonton’s 2slgtbq community say their concerns around inclusion haven’t been met.

“So many community members which were bipoc — black, trans, indigenous, 2 spirit communities who stood up — against police presence in pride, for inclusion to have trans people included in Edmonton pride festival — and we were faced by a lot of backlash– backlash by our own community,” said Adebayo Chris Katiiti, chief executive officer of Rarica Now.

The founder of a local group that provides supports for 2SLGTBQ refugees in Edmonton says that’s why he and others took issue with the organizer’s of Edmonton’s past pride parades. Rarica and other groups providing a list of demands to be included in the festivities — but the parade cancelled in 2019 over what then-organizers said was a lack of funding and volunteers.

“We should let our leaders know who we are,” said Katiiti. “That we’re here, we’re apart of this community, we’re apart of Alberta, we’re apart of Canadians.”

Organizers told CityNews they weren’t involved with the previous pride parade — but say they have been working to address concerns. Including reaching out to Katiiti following CityNew’s interview with him on Wednesday afternoon.

“Pridefest — like I said — has been a few different iterations over the years — we’ve had events — we’ve had music festivals — so there’s been lots of work done over the last several years to be as inclusive as possible and that we’re hearing as many voices as possible,” said  Megan Normandeau, communications at Edmonton Pride Fest Association.

Katiiiti acknowledges there is still time until the late summer parade — and he is open to collaborating with organizers — but told CityNews that with provincial changes for trans youth in schools — and restrictions on some forms of gender affirming care for Alberta minors – he wants to see pride as a protest.

Edmonton pride fest organizers also acknowledged that work has to be done before the parade — including security to keep community members safe.

“We are very much in contact with different partners helping us to ensure that these events are safe — and we are taking that incredibly seriously,” said Normandeau.