Thanks to the hard work of local groups Central Alberta Pride Society (CAPS), the Transgender and Non-Binary Aid Society (TANAS) and the Red Deer Queer Community Association (RDQCA), there's going to be a plethora of ways to celebrate Pride in central Alberta in August. 

A car pride parade will be taking place on August 1st, organized by the RDQCA with the support of the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre. It's the first of many events scheduled as rainbow community members and allies celebrate Pride in its many forms. 

"We got the idea from Spruce Grove GSA. They did a similar car parade in their town centre, and we thought it was such a cool idea. It's a great way to have the same sort of effect (of a parade) with social distancing measures in place," said Alex Pugatschew, co-organizer of RDQCA. 

RDQCA was founded in 2018, and organizers Alex and Rhys Pugatschew are focused on creating connections among youth and adult queer community members. They usually offer in-person coffee meet-ups but have been hosting 'virtual coffee hangouts' through Discord for the last few months. 

"We want to make sure there is a space for being to go to in order to be themselves. We want a community that includes everyone - allies, people actually part of the (queer) community, people willing to support. We want everyone and anyone. We don't care what colour or flavour you are, be a part of our group," Rhys said. 

The car parade is being organized with support from the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) and the Downtown Business Association (DBA). Following the parade, community members are invited to a physically distanced "after-party" at the Kiwanis Picnic Area at Bower Ponds. 

Participants will gather at the Black Knight Inn around 11a.m., and then will venture through the downtown via Gaetz Ave before heading to Bower Ponds for the after-party.

Central Alberta Virtual Pride Week

Central Alberta Pride Week, organized by CAPS, officially kicks off on August 9th-15th. Traditionally, that week would kick off with the annual Drag Show, but this year, that event will be virtual - as will most of the Pride celebrations. 

"We have a week full of ideas planned. We will have a cooking class online, some entertainment planned for the end of the week," said Bobbi-Jo L'Hirondelle, communications coordinator for CAPS and TANAS.

Events organized by CAPS this year include:

  • RDC Flag Raising & rainbow crosswalk unveiling - August 7th
  • Central Alberta Pride Week Proclamation - August 9th
  • Make-up Monday with Kelli Ele Trix - August 10th
  • Fun with Flags - August 11th
  • Sexual Health information event - August 12th
  • An evening with Pam Rocker - August 13th
  • Virtual Pride in the Park, Virtual Drag Show - August 15th

This year, the City of Red Deer worked together with CAPS to install a permanent rainbow sidewalk on Little Gaetz Avenue in the downtown core, symbolizing a longer commitment to making Red Deer a truly inclusive community.

 "With the location change from the main drag to Little Gaetz Avenue, we're hoping that will prevent some of the vandalism that has happened before," L'Hirondelle said. "It has many facets of meaning, but the most important piece we take away is that it's like an olive branch being strung out, and hopefully we can strengthen that olive branch."

Kristy Svoboda, HR department head for the City of Red Deer said: "We decided to make that more permanent in an effort to minimize the effects of that vandalism and really ensure the longevity and permanent reminder to our community that Red Deer is a welcoming city."

From an online cooking class, to virtual concerts and online chat groups, there are plenty of ways for all members of the LGBTQ2si+ community to stay connected.