The History of Pride in Ottawa
Ottawa’s first gay pride celebration was a picnic in Strathcona Park in June of 1986 and attended by about 50 people. In 1989, the pride celebration became a week of activities: dances, exhibits, films, sporting events, and receptions.
In May 1997 the Pride Week Committee was incorporated as the Pride Committee of Ottawa–Gatineau and the festival received their first official proclamation from Ottawa City Council. In 1998 the Pride Week Committee received a letter of support from Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
The annual festival was held at Festival Plaza at Ottawa City Hall until 2002, when it was moved to Bank Street. In 2005, the festival was moved from Bank Street back to Festival Plaza and the dates of the festival were changed from July to August.
In 2008, the Pride Committee of Ottawa–Gatineau was rebranded as Capital Pride.
From its humble beginnings as a picnic in the park, it has evolved into a city-wide 10-day festival of over 20 events, complete with a Pride Parade, Dyke March and other events that appeal to families, athletes, artists and all members of the GLBTTQ community.
In 2010, Pride Week included a rugby match between Canada's only two predominantly gay rugby teams, the Muddy York and the Ottawa Wolves. The historic match was played on the main lawn of Parliament on August 28, 2010.
Read more about this topic: Capital Pride (Ottawa)
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