Pride Week has officially kicked off in Kelowna.
A not-for-profit organization called has organized a week full of diverse events and celebrations for people to take part in.
To officially start the festivities, Kelowna Pride held a kickoff event at BNA Brewing on June 3.
Pride Week Kelowna Kickoff Event
Kelowna Pride Events June 4-8:
Tuesday, June 4 㽶Ƶֱ (City Park at 7 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 5 㽶Ƶֱ (Stuart Park, Revelry at 4:30 p.m.)
Thursday, June 6 㽶Ƶֱ(Grandstands at City Park, 5:30 p.m.)
Saturday, June 8 㽶Ƶֱ(Stuart Park to City Park at 10:30 a.m.)
All events are designed to be inclusive and accessible for people with physical and mental abilities, different preferences and unique comfort levels regarding noise and stimulation.
Candace Banks, director of volunteers with Kelowna Pride said that celebrating love, diversity and inclusion, especially within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is incredibly important.
㽶ƵֱHere in Kelowna specifically, over the last couple of years we have seen a lot of hate gain momentum,㽶Ƶֱ said Banks, including online harassment they and other members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community have been subject to and witnessed.
Banks said that it is important that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is visible to let people know that 㽶Ƶֱno matter what they do, we are always going to be here.㽶Ƶֱ
㽶ƵֱHere in Kelowna we are standing together against that hate,㽶Ƶֱ said Banks.
For a complete list of events and more information visit
READ MORE: 㽶ƵֱI won㽶Ƶֱt be dying in the wrong body㽶Ƶֱ: a B.C. man㽶Ƶֱs courageous journey