Pride Winnipeg

PRIDE MAY 24 – JUNE 2 3 "Pride Winnipeg, and what it requires of an executive director, is unique from most business or non-profit models. This role is about listening, reiterating and leading action, while prioritizing the understanding that every person's story is unique," he says. "Pride Winnipeg is about building to each individual, not throwing anyone in a box and saying their story is 'close enough.' So I do feel I am the right person for this role." The Pride Winnipeg team remains committed to finding ways to support the Pride community, he adds. "Starting in the fall, our focus will shift towards hosting more Pride events Starting in the fall, our focus will shift towards hosting more Pride events throughout the year." – Sean Irvine, executive director of Pride Winnipeg. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 throughout the year. We aim to collaborate more closely with community partners and allies to forge a stronger network of support for Winnipeg and Manitoba's 2SLGBTQ+ people and shift to providing more Pride events year-round," he says. "At the forefront of this vision, our goal is to amplify our duty as advocates, support 2SLGBTQ+ small businesses and create additional safe spaces for our community." The Pride Festival serves as a concentrated showcase of this vision, condensed into a jam- packed weekend. "We value the insight and feedback given to us each year by festival-goers," he says. "Ultimately, we want the vision and future of Pride Winnipeg and the Pride Festival to be the vision and future of Winnipeg and Manitoba's Pride community as a whole." Pride Winnipeg continues to thrive, benefiting from the creativity and determination of the dedicated team. "Thanks to visionary leaders like Jenn Rands, vice- president of advocacy, and Amanda Pratt, vice- president of program development, 2024 has seen the launch of the Manitoba Pride Alliance. This groundbreaking initiative fosters communication and collaboration among Pride organizations throughout the province, marking a first of its kind in Canada," Irvine says. "We are committed to deepening our engagement with community members, listening to their voices and actively advancing our shared goals and initiatives. We are working to be a better support to not only the stellar queer community in Winnipeg but Manitoba as a whole." For Irvine, the concept of Pride extends beyond the festivities. "Over the years, I've had the privilege of listening to many voices of community members. Their stories have shaped my understanding of what the Pride season means to me. I believe it is crucial to recognize that Pride extends far beyond a week or a month — Pride is year-round," he said. "The Pride celebration season is a time for education, for increasing visibility and for celebrating the victories achieved by our community with the support of its members and allies. It also serves as a powerful reminder that, despite the challenges we face, Pride supporters are vocal and present. We stand together, continuing our relentless push for equality and visibility." At the same time, there's much to look forward to at this year's Pride Festival. "This year's festival is set to be our best year yet — I must admit, I may be a bit biased here as it's my first year on the team. I want to acknowledge, though, that none of this is possible without all the volunteers that donate their time to the festival each year. They are family to us. The volunteer team at Pride Winnipeg has been working tirelessly to create an unforgettable weekend," he says. "During Pride Week, we encourage everyone to participate in as many community events as possible — whether it's enjoying a drag show or engaging in an education session put on by a community organization. On the weekend of Pride, let's show Canada how Manitoba celebrates. Let's be louder and prouder than ever on June 1 and 2." Happy Pride Month! Proud supporter of Pride Winnipeg mb.bluecross.ca *Trademark of the CABCP

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