MAY 26 – JUNE 7
Happy Pride! Pride is about community, and ours is stronger because of the 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, students, and audiences who are part of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. We celebrate you, this month and always.
“I couldn’t be prouder, seeing his drive and passion for commu- nity and special events,” Karlenzig said of Fernandes. “He’s good at public speaking. He’s great with attention to detail and giving feedback. He’s young and passionate with guns a-blazing.” Karlenzig, 40, has volunteered his time with Pride Winnipeg for 17 years. As president, he explained the organization is working strategically with a five-year plan to ensure its suc - cess. Fernandes’ new role as managing director is a part-time paid position now, and he will become full-time executive director in 2027, which will allow Pride Winnipeg to grow and expand its year-round operations in its new home at 926-294 Portage Ave., complete with paid staff, thus balancing the hours of its volunteer board and volunteer executive team. “It’s a great team, and it’s a future-proofing organization,” Karlenzig said, adding that about 460 volunteers contribute to every aspect of Pride. The theme of this year’s Pride festival is ‘Celebrate You!’, and Karlenzig hopes that it will be a meaningful motivator for everyone in attendance. “For me it goes back to being able to celebrate your authentic self,” Karlenzig said, emphasizing the importance of doing so at a time when hate rhetoric directed at the trans and queer move - ments continues. “It gives you a chance to be your true self, gives freedom to folks and also to allies, to build up the community. It means something different to every single person, but we want it to resonate with everybody in the community.” Karlenzig is proud of how far the organization has come over the years and grateful to every volunteer who has made it what it is. “I sit back every year, and I look at the office space we have now — a meeting space for community members — the passion of the community year after year—the passion of the team. I think about the next generation… looking ahead to getting charitable status. We’ve done so much,” he said. “This is a volunteer organization. These are people giving up time with family and friends. Look at what we’ve been able to do as com - munity group members.” ❤ “While it’s important to celebrate your Pride, I would also encourage folks to use the Pride season to remember our community who walked with bags over their heads at Vimy Ridge Park for the first Pride and the heavy steps they took so we could walk, out-and-proud, down Portage.” – J USTIN FERNANDES
RWB SCHOOL ALUM AND FORMER RWB DANCER PARK LONG (2019-2026); PHOTO BY MICHELLE BLAIS
Your pride is our pride. The WCB proudly supports diversity, equity and inclusion.
Visit www.pridewinnipeg.com
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