Pride

Pride recognizes the impact that 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and other gender and sexual minorities) have had on history - locally, nationally, and internationally. Pride month is celebrated annually in June.
Pride Progress flag

Pride recognizes the impact that 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and other gender and sexual minorities) have had on history - locally, nationally, and internationally. 

June is internationally recognized as Pride Month and the annual kick-off to Pride Season, which continues through the summer months.

Why Pride is important

As we work towards building a welcoming and inclusive community in Red Deer, a place that is safe for everyone to live and thrive, it is important to reaffirm our commitment towards countering hate, discrimination and intolerance, and to demonstrate our efforts in creating a safer and more equitable city.

There are 1 million 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who call Canada home and by age 15, over 59% had been assaulted at least once, compared to 37% of heterosexual people. From 2020 to 2021, Canada experienced a 64% rise in hate crimes targeting sexual orientation—a statistic that captures only those incidents reported to police. Source: Statistics Canada 

Pride in Recreation Facilities

City of Red Deer Recreation facilities, programs and services believe in ‘recreation for all’. This means that regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression or any other factor, you are welcome in our spaces.

As an outward expression of this philosophy, City recreation facilities will hang Pride Progress light pole banners for the month of June, internationally recognized as Pride month.

Pride symbols

  • The Pride Flag: The original rainbow flag was introduced as a symbol of Gay Pride in San Francisco in 1978. The flag includes six colours that symbolize life, healing, sun, nature, art and spirit. 
  • The Progress Pride Flag, based on the iconic rainbow flag, includes the addition of a five-colour chevron with black and brown representing Persons of Colour, along with pink, light blue and white representing the colours of the Transgender Pride flag and the circle representing people identifying as intersex. The Progress Pride Flag celebrates the diversity of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and calls for a more inclusive society.
  • Red Deer’s rainbow crosswalk is located on 50 Avenue (“Little Gaetz”) at 50 (Ross) Street. Painted in 2020, the crosswalk is a permanent symbol of our community’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and a reminder to treat everyone with dignity, kindness, and respect. It is a simple gesture by The City of Red Deer to demonstrate recognition of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
  • Rainbow benches at Ross Street Patio: Visit Ross Street Patio in the heart of downtown to find two rainbow pride benches installed by The City.

Take action 

The best way to participate in Pride is to be an active ally to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community - during Pride season and all year long. Learning more will help you to understand, identify and disrupt homophobia, transphobia and biphobia when you see it happen. Let’s work together to create a community where everyone can belong. 

Resources