Pride Winnipeg

SEPTEMBER 3 -12 | 3 PRIDE Pride Winnipeg Festival is virtually here! Running Sept. 3-12, Pride of the Prairies presents a rainbow-bouquet of performances and events celebrating GSRD (Gender, Sex and Relationship Diverse) communities — and it's all available online. Barry Karlenzig is a long-time volunteer and current president of Pride Winnipeg. The first president to identify as bisexual, his tenure is marked by another distinction. "This is my ninth year with Pride and my second year as chair and I am currently the one chair who hasn't done a physical parade at the festival!" As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt live events, Pride Winnipeg is stepping out on social media again this year, with posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. The website at pridewinnipeg.com has links to the essential Pride Winnipeg App at the Apple Store and Google Play and all the sites are sources for program listings and other information. Virtual events start Sept. 3 with the flag-raising at City Hall and end Sept. 12 with a parade featuring submitted video footage from anyone who wants to participate. In between, there's loads of music, drag performances, poetry and more. "One day might be drag performers, another might be live bands or DJs, spread out for all 10 days with no overlap scheduling," Karlenzig says. "It will keep people in the spirit and make sure that people aren't missing events, and we're hoping to have them up online until the end of the month." This year has the largest number of performers ever, including French and Indigenous performers, core programming from the Snowy Owl Monarchist Society and Sunshine House (two of the larger drag organizations), and contributions from Two-Spirited People of Manitoba. "You'll find it all on the app with performer photos and bios, and if they already have music online, we'll link to that. "The nice thing about going virtual is that we are reaching a younger audience which doesn't normally have the chance to see events like some drag shows, which would take place at 18-plus years venues." Pride Winnipeg merchandise is also available on the website and contests will take place throughout Pride, including through media partner Corus Entertainment Group. "They will be participating and we'll be doing contests on our Facebook and Instagram pages and the goal is to get Pride Winnipeg's Instagram account up to 10,000 followers." Prizes include jerseys from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a package from Alt Hotels and more. There will be a post-Pride survey with prize incentives to help get ready for the national Canada Pride 2022, which will take place right here in Winnipeg. Diversity calls for accessibility and outreach and Karlenzig says the organization learned a lot from its first go-round with pandemic restrictions. While it has reached a new group of individuals, it has sadly lost touch with others. "A lot of the socially excluded groups Pride works with might not have access to computers, or a cell phone or Facebook or the library. If the library is closed, they can't attend because of those social or economic barriers and we're working with partners to address that — as are pride events everywhere," he says. Pride Winnipeg's new accessibility director is leading the charge toward full access for all. Additions include an accessibility button to make the website more readable. Image description has been added to social media for visually impaired users and last year's virtual programming added ASL onscreen. "We had people with mobility challenges who wanted to join the parade so we worked with Winnipeg Trolley who provided a trolley," Karlenzig says. The whole operation is run by volunteers, many of whom are contributing 40 or more hours per week in addition to their day jobs. Anyone who wants to join them is invited to contact Pride Winnipeg anytime, Karlenzig says. "We're always welcoming volunteers, so by all means, send us an email and talk to us, and if you have comments or concerns you can share them with us at info@pridewinnipeg." Social (Media) Animals VIRTUAL PRIDE WINNIPEG FESTIVAL IS BIGGER, BETTER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE BARRY KARLENZIG, PRIDE WINNIPEG PRESIDENT Photo by Shandi Strong BY WENDY KING Virtual events start Sept. 3 with the flag-raising at City Hall and end Sept. 12 with a parade featuring submitted video footage from anyone who wants to participate.

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