Pride Week in central Alberta won’t have the same flair it usually does as events and planned gatherings remain postponed. 

However, now that people are becoming more adjusted to the situation, there is more comfort and availability to connect online. 

Josh McLean, board member and communications co-chair for CA Pride, said they have done a few virtual get-togethers and are hoping to keep connected and continue to raise awareness for LGBTQ2si+ people in the area. 

“I think it is still really important. I mean we’ve obviously seen a lot of progress in the last several decades and more recent years towards LGBTQ acceptance, but there is still a lot of non-acceptance, especially in more rural parts of central Alberta,” he said. 

“So it’s really important for us to keep raising awareness and keep the community connected, especially in a time right now where people are socially isolating in their homes. We want to make sure that people can stay connected.”

Two of the biggest events for Central Alberta Pride’s week of celebrations are the annual Drag Show and Pride in the Park. 

McLean said that with the obvious postponements of large gatherings, they know they are going to have to do things differently this year, and likely at a later date. 

He explained that the board for CA Pride - which is mostly made up of new members this year - was in the midst of planning these events, but now, even if public health orders were lifted in the summer, there just isn’t enough people power to get these events rolling right now. 

“We’re hopeful that we will maybe be able to have a flag-raising or a few smaller events that won’t take as much prep time. We still want to make sure that the LGBTQ community in central Alberta knows we are here for them and to raise awareness,” McLean said. 

For folks who are at home with family members who are unaccepting or maybe uneducated, CA Pride is working on sending out some educational pieces to help facilitate positive discussions and communication. 

For now, people can stay connected and in touch with Central Alberta Pride through their facebook pages and other social media outlets.