Pride Week celebrations in Kelowna are only a few days away and all people, regardless of sexual and gender orientation are invited to celebrate.
Kelowna㽶Ƶֱs Pride Week officially runs from June 2 until June 11, and there are diverse events planned for almost every day.
The week of festivities starts with a burlesque show and a Pride picnic for seniors before the big
During the month of June proceeds from the sale of BNA㽶Ƶֱs 㽶ƵֱPride Beer㽶Ƶֱ will be donated to Kelowna Pride.
㽶ƵֱI㽶Ƶֱm excited to see the community come together in such a big, meaningful way,㽶Ƶֱ said Fahmy Baharuddin, the board president with Kelowna Pride.
On June 6, that starts from the Rotary Centre for Arts and rolls to the brewery district.
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In addition to the social, This Space Belongs to You, a queer and IBPOC dedicated mental health service, will be holding fundraising bike wash and tune-up.
Multiple Trans Pride celebrations will take place on June 8, in downtown Kelowna.
Baharuddin said that he is expecting push-back at the events and said that if people witness or are subject to hate speech 㽶Ƶֱjust walk away, don㽶Ƶֱt engage,㽶Ƶֱ and asks everyone to stay safe.
㽶ƵֱWe are always a little bit walking on eggshells.㽶Ƶֱ
Additionally, Baharuddin calls on allies of 2SLGBTQIA+ people to show up and speak out in support of the queer community.
㽶ƵֱYou can only really call yourself an ally if you show up.㽶Ƶֱ
He said that it is now more important than ever to check in with queer folks as there is a 㽶Ƶֱrise in hateful rhetoric㽶Ƶֱ against queer people around the world.
On June 10, all people are invited to the in downtown Kelowna to celebrate the queer community and spread joy.
A list of all events taking place in Kelowna during Pride week is available online at and on the Kelowna Pride and .
READ MORE: Pop off Pride month in Kelowna with billboards showcasing 2SLGBTQIA+ talent and joy
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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