PRIDE
MAY 26 – JUNE 7
6
POINTS OF PRIDE PRIDE WINNIPEG LOOKS AHEAD TO ITS 40TH YEAR BY JANINE LEGAL
to preparations for an annual Pride season that reflects the voices, creativity, and resilience of Manitoba’s 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. “We are thrilled to welcome Justin Fernandes as Pride Winnipeg’s new managing director,” Barry Karlenzig, president of the Pride Winnipeg board of directors, said in a statement when the appointment was announced. “Justin brings passion, leadership, and a deep commitment to community that aligns strongly with Pride Winnipeg’s mission and vision. He has been a valued member of the team in various roles for many years, and we are excited for the future and the energy he brings to this role.” A second-generation Portuguese-Canadian and proud resident of Treaty 1, Fernandes resides in Winnipeg’s historic West End with his partner Travis, their dogs Marko and Lindo and cat Migo. In his pre-beard days, Fernandes once performed drag under the name Selena Dijon. With a background in banking and financial administration, and more recently in the non-profit sector with Rainbow Resource Centre, Fernandes has first-hand non-profit experience in communi - cations, design, capital campaign management, event planning and development. He was one of the facilitators of New Pride of Winnipeg – a group for 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers to Canada. “I am so proud to be Pride Winnipeg’s managing director,” said Fernandes, who has served in several roles on the organization’s board of directors, including special events director, fundraising co-ordinator, finance co-ordinator and executive assistant to the vice-president of programming. “This year’s 2026 Pride Winnipeg parade, festival, vigil, and flag-raising marks 39 years of our volunteer team putting on an iconic summer festival in this city,” Fernandes said, looking ahead to this year’s Pride season, which begins May 29 and culminates
RIDE WINNIPEG IS BURSTING WITH ENERGY and excitement. On the verge of the 2026 Pride Winnipeg season, anticipation is building, both within the grassroots organiza- tion and the community. The recent appointment of Justin Fernandes as manag - ing director of Pride Winnipeg has added momentum
JUST LIKE OPERA, LOVE COMES IN ALL DIFFERENT COLOURS HAPPY PRIDE FROM
WHEN INCLUSIVITY THRIVES,
Happy Pride, Winnipeg!
L-R: Angel Blue (Violetta), La Traviata , 2018. Elliot Madore (Figaro), The Barber of Seville , 2019. Andrea Lett (Zerlina), Don Giovanni , 2018. Ileana Montalbetti (Leonore), Fidelio , 2014. Gregory Dahl (George), Of Mice and Men , 2016. Lara Ciekiewicz (Countess), The Marriage of Figaro , 2015. Photos 1, 2: C. Corneau; Photos 3-6: R. Tinker
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