As part of the True Colours Quilt Along 2025, CQA/ACC is collecting resources for quilters who wish to learn more about the challenges faced by all marginalized people and how we can all help to make welcoming and safe spaces for everyone. CQA/ACC invites you to suggest website links to add to our resources by emailing your ideas to membership@canadianquilter.com.
Pride Month is a time dedicated to celebrating the 2SLGBTQI+ community, promoting equality, and advocating for the rights of all individuals regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Pride organizations in various Canadian cities celebrate Pride Month by hosting parades, social programs, concerts, and many other engaging activities. Some select a theme for Pride Month events. For example, Kingston’s 2025 theme is The Rainbow and Beyond: Stronger Together, the World Pride theme is The Fabric of Freedom, and the Toronto’s theme is All In.
Understanding Pride Month and Pride Season
Pride Month, celebrated from June 1-30, brings to mind many historical milestones, including the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. In Canada, significant progress in 2SLGBTQI+ rights began with the decriminalization of homosexual acts between consenting adults in June, 1969, just before the Stonewall Riots. This marked the start of a series of pivotal events that shaped the 2SLGBTQI+ movement in Canada.
The term “Pride Season,” as referenced on the Government of Canada website, encompasses the broad range of Pride events that occur from June to September. This period allows 2SLGBTQI+ communities and allies to come together, celebrate resilience, and recognize the vital contributions of these communities.
A Brief History of Pride in Canada
- 1969: Homosexual acts between consenting adults were decriminalized in Canada.
- 1971: The First Gay Liberation Protest and March took place at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
- 1973: Pride Week, a national LGBT rights event, was celebrated in several Canadian cities, marking a shift towards the gay liberation movement.
- 1978: The first unofficial Pride Parade was held in Vancouver.
- 1981: Vancouver held its first official municipal Pride Parade.
The 2025 Theme in Toronto, ON: All In
The theme All In seeks to strengthen solidarity and connection, encouraging everyone to stand together against adversity and fight for equality and inclusivity. This theme also serves as a call to action, encouraging unity and reminding everyone to support one another in creating a world where the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ communities are upheld and celebrated. All in reminds us of Pride’s history and progress, embracing diversity and inclusion, standing together against adversity and Pride is every day, every hour, and every minute.
All In honours and acknowledges the historical struggles and achievements of those who have contributed to social progress, celebrating past victories and inspiring ongoing efforts for a more inclusive future. Pride Month is a celebration of the diverse genders, sexualities, and cultures within the 2SLGBTQI+ community, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for all, an excellent example of embracing diversity and inclusion. The theme underscores the importance of allyship and collective action in fighting discrimination, urging everyone to stand up for the rights of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
As mentioned previously, Pride is not limited to one month; it is a year-round commitment to promoting equality, acceptance, and inclusion.
How You Can Participate
Everyday Actions to Embrace Pride Month
- Educate Yourself: Reading is a powerful way to learn about diversity, equality, and inclusion. Explore books, news articles, and resources that highlight the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience or diversity, equality and inclusion.
- Support Local Events: Participate in Pride events and activities in your community to show your support and solidarity.
Embracing Pride in Quilting
As a quilter, there are several ways to support and embrace the 2SLGBTQI+ community:
- Be Welcoming: Foster an inclusive atmosphere in your quilting guild. Welcome everyone and ensure they feel valued and respected.
- Invite Guest Speakers: Consider inviting a guest speaker from the 2SLGBTQI+ community to share their experiences and perspectives. Possibly invite a 2SLGBTQI+ quilter as a guest speaker.
- Celebrate with Your Craft: Join the True Colours QAL that CQA/ACC is hosting. Create a block of the month that celebrates an aspect of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, showcasing diversity and inclusion through your art.
- Open the Conversation: Encourage discussions within your guild to address any questions or concerns about inclusivity, helping to adapt the community with grace and openness.
By taking both small and significant steps, quilters can demonstrate their kindness and generosity, enhancing the quilting community and supporting the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Together, we can make a difference.
References:
https://www.calendarr.com/canada/pride-month-history-traditions-and-celebrations/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_Toronto
https://www.queerevents.ca/canada/pride/history
https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/blogs/post/what-pride-means-to-canad/
https://equity.mcmaster.ca/pride-month-june-2022/
https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/pride-season.html
https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/timeline-50-years-of-lgbtq-pride-in-canada
