To celebrate their 25th anniversary, Pride PEI will run for an extended 12-day period, starting July 20th. As well, it’s been confirmed that the parade marshal will be Lee Fleming, who was at the first pride march on the Island 25 years ago!

“Pride is about showing love for yourself and for others. The parade is one way we celebrate that, and it continues to grow every year. We hope to see more organizations take part in this year’s parade, and celebrate the people that call Prince Edward Island home.”
— Andrea MacPherson, Pride PEI

Since 1994, Prince Edward Island’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community has marched in the streets of Charlottetown, coming together as a collective voice with allies to demonstrate support for 2SLGBTQIA+ equality and equity. Taking place on Saturday, July 27 at 1:00 p.m., this year’s parade marks the 25th anniversary, and all are invited to celebrate and showcase the Island’s pride.

This year’s theme is shapes + forms…because love comes in many different shapes and forms. Inspiration for the theme comes from the vibrant spectrum of gender and sexual diversity visible on Prince Edward Island. Black-and-white photos pay homage to the emergence of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ scene, while bursts of colour—in all shapes and forms—represent our resilient and diverse community.

The Pride after Dark event takes place on Saturday, July 27 at the Delta Hotel and tickets are just $15 at the door. The headliner for the evening is Russell Louder, a trans musician, producer, performance artist, curator, party-thrower and ring-leader based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Their experimental electronic dance pop explores the ever-evolving internal landscape of identity, grief and romance. Their performance and curatorial work explores joy and celebration as sites of queer community, resistance and survival. Listen here.

Also, featuring:

DRAG | Justin Toodeep (NB) Performing for 10 years, Justin Toodeep brings you camp and dandy daddy realness, every single time. Finalist on Season 1 of Atlantic Drag Star. Current Semi-Finalist on Season 2 of Atlantic Drag Star, and Boom! Nightclub King 2016

DRAG | Vera Getty (PEI) Vera Getty was borne of the Halifax drag scene, but now calls PEI her home.  Sure to serve looks and high energy, pop music drag performances – You’ll be calling yourself a Getty Girl by the end of the night!

DANCE PARTY | DJ Special Guest (NS)  is a project by Will Yarr that combines vintage funk, disco, and hip hop with newer house and electronica sounds in order to induce total dancefloor hysteria every time he steps in the DJ booth.

Facebook event page.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.