Welcome to the 2024 Pride Guide! Is there anything you’d like us to add? Are there any stories you’d like us to tell? Send us an email at shalu@thediscourse.ca and let us know!
It’s Pride season again and this year, The Discourse Cowichan, Nanaimo and Comox Valley have joined forces to put together a Pride Guide for our communities. Below you’ll find local events as well as resources, organizations and relevant reporting that we’ve done over the years.
We’ll continue to add to this as things come up, so keep an eye on this page!
And, as a heads up, The Discourse team will be marching in the Nanaimo Pride Parade on June 9! If you’d like to join us in the parade, send an email to julie@thediscourse.ca.
Cowichan Pride events:
- Saturday, June 1: Join Cowichan Pride Society at Duncan City Hall as the city raises the Progress Pride Flag to signal the start of Pride month. The flag raising takes place at 3 p.m.
- Saturday, June 1: Head to Red Arrow Brewing Company for a family friendly Pride kick-off with Cowichan Pride Society. There will be live music, a drag show and drag bingo. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, June 2: Ladysmith’s first Pride celebration takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join the family oriented event on 1st Avenue, from Roberts Street to High Street, and enjoy food, music, local crafts and more.
- Saturday, June 22: Dance the night away at the Cowichan Pride Dance Party! This 19+ event takes place at the Duncan Eagles Hall and will feature a drag show and music from DJ Slade. 2SLGBTQQIA+ and allies welcome. Tickets are $22.60 and can be purchased online.
- Sunday, June 23: The Cowichan Pride Walk and Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The parade is people-powered and will be followed by a celebration at City Square with live music, drag artists, vendors, food trucks and more.
Nanaimo Pride events:
- Tuesday, June 4, 5:30 p.m: Start Nanaimo Pride Week out with a rainbow flag raising ceremony and Pride Month declaration at Nanaimo City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Stay for the music, food and mini street fair on Dunsmuir Street.
- Wednesday, June 5, 7 p.m: Laugh OUT Loud — A Pride Week Comedy Show at The Queen’s presented by Nanaimo Pride Society and Got Pop? Concerts. The show features comedians Patti Savard, Brett McCrindle, Chris Basso and more and is hosted by Nanaimo’s own Miss Vikki Smudge and Andi Rogynous. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
- Friday, June 7: Those aged 18 and up are welcome to join the All That Glitters Sober Pride Celebration at the Cavallotti Lodge. There will be a mocktail bar, live DJ sets and drag performances. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.
- Sunday, June 9: The Nanaimo Pride Parade and Festival begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Nanaimo with festivities to follow at Maffeo Sutton Park. The Discourse will be marching in the parade. Want to join us? Email Julie Chadwick at julie@thediscourse.ca.
- Sunday, June 9: The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival presents an intimate screening of 2SLGBTQIA+-themed short films at Vancouver Island University in Building 356, Room 109 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Attendance is by donation with partial proceeds supporting the Nanaimo Pride Society.
Comox Valley Pride events:
- Saturday, June 1: Participate in some outdoor Yoga in the Driveway at Cumberland Village Wellness, starting at 9 a.m. Proceeds from this by donation fundraiser support Comox Valley Pride Society. Find more details and a registration link online.
- Thursday, June 6: Head to Tin Town Cafe for a She & They Acoustic Concert with acoustic folk-roots performances by Gina Davis and Ali Romanow. Reserve a seat by e-transferring ginadavismusic@gmail.com or buy tickets at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:15 p.m.
- Saturday, June 22, 2024. Queer Culture is hosting Club Nights at Wayward Distillery. Tickets for this 19+ event can be purchased online.
- Saturday, August 24: More details are coming about the annual Pride in the Park event at Simms Park. Volunteer applications are currently being accepted online for those who would like to be involved. Check out Comox Valley Pride on Facebook for more updates.
- Saturday, August 24: Queer Culture’s second annual Pride Parade takes place at noon and will make its way down Fifth Street. Email parnellproductions@mail.com to receive an application to participate.
- Sunday August 25, 10:30 a.m: End Pride month with a splash at a free Pride swim at Comox Valley Sports Centre. Everyone is welcome. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Resources for 2SLGBTQQIA+ and allies:
- PFLAG Canada supports 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and their families with peer support, education and advocacy.
- QCHAT is a peer support line and resource database for 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth in B.C. Text 250-800-9036 or call toll-free 1-855-956-1777.
- QMUNITY is a Vancouver-based non-profit that works to improve the lives of queer, trans and Two-Spirit people.
- Island Queers and Allies Who Care is a group of volunteers on Vancouver Island that support local groups and projects that benefit the queer community through fundraising.
- BIPOC Women’s Health Network provides an online list of transgender support resources.
- Gukwa̱s sa Wagalus – Rainbow House provides transitional housing for 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth in the Comox Valley.
- What’s on Queer BC is an online queer lifestyle magazine with a list of resources for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
- First Nations Health Authority Resource List for 2SLGBTQQIA+, with specific Vancouver Island resources.
- Resources from the Province of B.C., including on accessing health care, changing I.D., housing, law and human rights, employment and more.
- HIM: Health Initiative for Men aims to strengthen the health and well-being of GBQ Men and gender diverse people.
- Check Yourself is a sexual health checklist for “guys who have sex with guys, including guys who don’t identify as gay.”
Local organizations and clubs:
- Pride Society of the Comox Valley
- Nanaimo Pride Society
- Cowichan Pride Society
- PFLAG Canada has chapters in Cowichan and Nanaimo
- Vancouver Island Queer Athletic Association is a nonprofit supporting queer youth athletes on Vancouver Island.
- Queer Culture is a Comox Valley group dedicated to creating an inclusive space for queer individuals and allies.
- OUT Hiking: A private Facebook group for queers in the Comox Valley to connect and go hiking.
- Cowichan Valley Youth Services offers Youth Pride, a drop-in group for youth ages 13 to 17 who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
- Volunteer Nanaimo hosts a Queer Straight Alliance group for youth between the ages of 11 and 29.
- Gender Journeys and Transcend Nanaimo offer peer support groups for transgender, non-binary, two-spirit and gender diverse youth and adults.
Relevant reporting from The Discourse:
- Camp Kin provides queer youth in the Comox Valley with a sense of community, belonging
- Reporter’s Notebook: ‘Pride is a protest’ as queerphobia rises on Vancouver Island
- Strength in diversity: Royal Roads paints Pride crosswalk in celebration of inclusivity
- Q&A: This Royal Bay student is responding to anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate with love
- Reporter’s Notebook: Let’s talk about ‘1 Million March 4 Children’
- Duncan drag show backlash met with community support
- How does SOGI 123 show up in Cowichan Valley schools?
