b'PRIDE 2022THREE EVENTS trucks, explains Gamache. We can move most of our admin spaces and 1 Check Pride festival websites regularly for kitchens into the stadium, so we dont 1 the most current information and schedule. have to build out. TORONTO PRIDE ACCESSIBILITYJune 15:Cabana Pool Party withArmed with the knowledge that in-person Pride celebrations have been Symone (Winner of Ru Paulsexcluding some members of the LGBTQ+ Drag Race, Season 13) community, Pride organizers are also June 19:Island Party getting serious about accessibility. Weve June 24:Trans March been working with local accessibility June 25:Dyke March consultants on everything that we do, to June 26:Sunday Pride Parade try and find ways to level up, says Keple. Whether its level access or special areas reserved for folks with different accessibility Indigenous people of colour calledthe community that the big floats takerequirements, were always finetuning.Together Again, recalls Keple. Whenaway from that protest/advocacy/politicalWere going beyond ASL, explains they consulted with the community onstatement part, explains Modeste. WeModeste. Were looking at how we can provide this years theme, they got an astonishingsee this as an opportunity to go back toattendant care at accessibility risers and work 71 suggestions! Luckily, there was awhere Pride startedsending a messageclosely with WheelTrans to help with loading common thread. Sixty-five of them werewhile we celebrate all the gains that weand offloading parade participants.around the theme of reuniting and beinghave made. Olympic Park in Montreal will make for a together, laughs Keple. This years more accessible event, and not just 22theme, Together Again, emerged as thebecause of the extra space and stadium natural choice.infrastructure. Its right above a Metro station, explains Gamache. Our minibus easily connects it to The VANCOUVER PRIDE Village, or its only a six-minute ride Date TBA:Unicorn Ball from The Village Metro.Date TBA:East Side PrideWhat all festivals can agree on is that this years Pride will be like no Date TBA:Sunset Beach Festival other. Society is evolving, and the July 31: Vancouver Pride Parade Pride movement needs to evolve, too, says Gamache. ENVIRONMENTALWe see this as an opportunity to SUSTAINABILITYbring to life what was happening 50+ The pandemic has also broughtFiert Montrals new venue alsoyears ago, says Modeste. And for us to define environmental concerns to the forefront.means a more environmentally friendlywhat the Pride movement will be for the33In keeping with their second theme ofevent. We wont have to rent tents andnext century. environmental sustainability, Pride Toronto is eliminating the use of all flatbed floats and gas-powered vehicles. AsFIERT MONTRAL one of the largest festivalsAugust 1:An Evening with Alok Menon in Canada, we have to do(poetry, comedy and performance) our part in preserving ourAugust 3:Festival Opening Show featuring environment, says Modeste.headliners Pierre Kwendersand Thats why were reducingthe legendaryDiane Dufresnethe size of floats from 20 feetAugust 5 & 6: Community Days in The Villageto 14 feet and moving awayAugust 6: FeminiX from gas-powered vehicles and single-use plastics.August 7: Sunday ParadeThis environmentalAugust 7: Festival Closing Show motive also has communityfeaturing Pabllo Vittarbenefits. Weve heard from 18| QBiz CANADA | Issue 1 2022'