Pride Week 2023

Before I Change My Mind: Film Screening and Artist Talk
A screening of Before I Change My Mind and an artist talk with film writer-director, Trevor Anderson, and co-writer, Fish Griwkowsky was held at Scotiabank Theatre at WEM. This was part of the Mitchell Art Gallery's THE MALL exhibition public programming and a lead-up event to Pride Week.

Pride Week March and Opening Ceremonies
We marched across campus in an act of celebration and solidarity with the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The Pets Assisting with Student Success (PAWSS) animals and Griff were in their finest rainbow outfits!

Pride Resource Fair
The Allard Hall Atrium was the place to learn about 2SLGBTQIA+ supports and resources available on campus and in the broader community.

Rainbow Market
People picked up some great Pride gear and supported local 2SLGBTQ+ makers and businesses.

Queer Research Connections Event
Student research was highlighted and participants learned how to engage in research of their own and connect with faculty who drive research at MacEwan.

Queer Speed Friending
Like speed dating, but for friends! Concordia University Edmonton hosted a fun and engaging evening, complete with snacks and refreshments. Participants were expertly guided through activities by AuroraConnects.

Canadian Authors Series – Billeh Nickerson Poetry Reading
Poet, performer, and educator, Billeh Nickerson, moved event attendees with a witty, insightful, personal and poignant live poetry reading, hosted by the Department of English and the Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity.

SAMU Queer Time Campfire
An indoor evening of poetry, warm refreshments, and a campfire story with SAMU and InQueeries. Participants signed up for a DIY mug to decorate.

Queer and Religious: Without Contradictions
The intersection between faith and queer identity was explored with representatives from diverse faith communities.

PHET and InQueeries Pride Booths
The Peer Health Education Team (PHET) and InQueeries engaged in colouring, button making, and other crafts while building community at their Pride-themed booth in Griffin's Landing.

Over the Rainbow Storytime
The feeling and joy of being read to as a child was revisited. Hosted at MacEwan's John L. Haar Library, this family-friendly program showcased stories that explored diversity and inclusion.

Elementary School Retake Day
Aspen Zettel Photography was invited to "retake" elementary school photos. It was a chance to reclaim that memory and get pics retaken of one's true self. A queer and joyous past was recreated!

Pride Ride: Spin the Beat
Participants got their blood to music by queer artists and icons. Everyone was encouraged to dress up as their favourite queer icon or wear any outfit that expressed their inner joy.

Crafting Queer Joy
The MacEwan community was brought together to celebrate queer joy through artmaking. Collages inspired by the collective conversation about the power of queer joy were created, and participants took their art with them as joyful tokens. Presented by Dr. JJ Wright.

Pride Happy Hour for Staff and Faculty
Queer and Allied staff and faculty were invited for an after-work social at Sodo downtown. It was an opportunity to connect and revel in the joy that community brings.

Intergenerational Community Dialogue: Pride Reflections
An insightful intergeneration discussion with MacEwan students and the Edmonton Pride Seniors Group on pride and joy in the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Black Trans Joy with Adebayo Katiiti
Adebayo Katiiti, a Ugandan native who received asylum in Canada after persecution in his home country, shared his advocacy journey and the beauty of Black trans joy.

Elementary School Retake Day
Aspen Zettel Photography was invited to "retake" elementary school photos. It was a chance to reclaim that memory and get pics retaken of one's true self. A queer and joyous past was recreated!

Pride Open Mic Night
kihêw waciston hosted a night of music, poetry, laughter and healing celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Queerness and Gaming
Dr. Katie Bittner and Paige Russell facilitated a discussion on queerness and gaming. They began with a brief "one-shot" of the Role Playing Game (RPG), Thirsty Sword Lesbians. Core, queer, and community-based principles of safety, consent, and inclusivity were demonstrated during the game, and a discussion on effective tools and strategies was shared.

Joy at the Intersections: Kinky, Queer and Disabled v.2
Mx. Alexi hosted a workshop where they discussed identity and how navigating queer on its own can be a challenge, but adding kink and disability makes for exciting intersections. History and stigma surrounding the kink community and disabled folks were discussed, followed by personal anecdotes and creative ideas on how to dip a toe into the kink community.

Get Ready with InQueeries for Retro Queer Prom
InQueeries volunteered to help attendees of the Retro Queer Prom get ready. People were invited to bring whatever was needed to look sharp and hang out before heading over to the event.

Retro Queer Prom
Hosted at The Rice in the Citadel Theatre, students from the Northside Pride Collaborative Project were invited to dust off their old prom outfit, repurpose it, or create something new with super cool thrift store finds. Queer Joy was celebrated with DJs, drag and burlesque performers, along with new friends aplenty! Entertainment was provided by Fruit Loop.