ABOUT RIVER OF PRIDE
Welcome
River of Pride is a dedicated not-for-profit organization, fueled by the passion and commitment of our volunteers. We proudly support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community across Southeast New Brunswick by fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is heard.
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We are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for visibility, collaboration, and celebration. Our initiatives focus on promoting ongoing conversations and building partnerships that help advance equity for all individuals, particularly those who identify as gender, sexuality, and/or relationship diverse.
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Interested in making a difference? We invite you to join our vibrant community of volunteers. Visit our Volunteer page to learn how you can get involved and contribute to our mission of fostering a more inclusive society.
Vision
A world without harassment, discrimination, hatred and intimidation against members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community where everyone can celebrate who we love and how we live and identify as our true selves.
Land acknowledgement
River of Pride acknowledges that we are in the homeland of the Mi'kmaq People. We recognize that the land on which we gather is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq First Nation, and we pay our respects to the Indigenous Mi'kmaq People of this territory; past, present, and future.
What we do
At River of Pride, we offer a variety of services to support and uplift the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the South-East region of New Brunswick. Our services include advocacy for equity and understanding, organizing community events, and defending our rights. Click here to learn more about how we can support you.
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History of Pride
Pride history is rooted in the Stonewall Riots that began on June 28, 1969 in New York. The next year, Christopher Street Liberation Day marches and parades were held in a number of US cities to commemorate the anniversary and to advocate for gay rights. In Canada, the first protests for gay and lesbian rights took place in Ottawa and Vancouver on August 28, 1971. The first “Pride Week” events in Canada started in 1972 in Toronto, followed by Vancouver, Winnipeg, Montreal, Victoria, Ottawa and Saskatoon.
Parade
The Moncton Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Committee held it's first Gay Pride Parade on June 17, 2000. The Parade started on Main Street West, to Highfield Street, up to St. George Street, West to Weldon Street and North to Victoria Park.
Festival
The first public event for LGBTQ2 People in Moncton, New Brunswick was held on July 01, 1981. Despite recent bylaws, 100 gay men and lesbians held a picnic in Centennial Park, in the presence of a large number of police, making it the first public event in the community. What we now call the Festival, has since outgrown that venue and has been located at the Riverfront Park in Moncton for several years. Featuring a big stage of entertainment, food trucks, vendors, and a beer garden, the festival attracts thousands of people who join together to be proud and celebrate love, diversity and inclusivity.