Know Your Neighbour: Burnaby Pride

Describing it as a “collaborative community initiative,” Burnaby Pride co-chair Heather McCain says the group’s organizers include a number of “agencies in the city that support the community with their programs and services as well as individual 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and allies who are part of PCAN (that’s the Pride Community Action Network).”

McCain tells the Beacon that Burnaby Pride loves the local community because of the diversity and strength of folks who live in the city.

“Our community is filled with amazing people who are committed to creating spaces where all people feel welcome. We are proud of the resiliency, vibrancy, and diversity of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Burnaby. We are excited to work with community to host events that bring visibility to, and understanding of, 2SLGBTQIA+ folk,” they said.

Burnaby Pride is a newer organization but McCain notes that this allows the opportunity “to create a more equitable and diverse Pride to better represent the people who live, work, and play in Burnaby.”

Burnaby Pride will be hosting 2 online events this month to celebrate its 4th Pride. On July 23 Queer as Funk, a dynamic, high-energy dance band, will be performing online and on July 24 there will be a digital celebration showcasing the diversity and strength of Burnaby’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“More details on the program to be released soon! If you want a sample of Burnaby Pride before that, visit our YouTube page for last year’s event and Book Talks with Dr Rob Bittner, an 2SLGBTQIA+ children’s and young adult lit specialist,” said McCain, adding that in the near future Burnaby Pride is hoping to offer more events throughout the year.

Find out more about Burnaby Pride here.