Kingston Pride moving online due to COVID-19
Kingston Pride Inc.’s Board of Directors has called off this year’s usual Pride Festival events, originally scheduled for the week of June 7 to June 13, 2020, and is planning alternative events in light of COVID-19.
“We know that Pride as a movement and a community can never be “cancelled” because Pride is not about what we do. Rather, Pride is a reflection of who we are as people and as a community,” the organization said in a press release. “But in light of the pandemic we face, and in order to safeguard the health and well-being of every member of our community, we have chosen to forgo a physical coming-together this year.”
Instead, Kingston Pride has moved all of its events online.
“This does not mean we will not celebrate our community. June will still be Pride Month, and Kingston Pride will still happen, just in new and innovative ways. We are already working diligently in that regard, so please stay tuned and remain engaged,” the release continued.
Among the planned events, a virtual parade of Pride spaces is being organized for Saturday, June 13, 2020 starting at 11:00 A.M. Kingstonians are invited to decorate their house, storefront, or car, chalk walkways with rainbows, or dress up and make a Pride sign. Photos or videos of their activities can then be submitted to Kingston Pride, to be edited into the virtual parade. All photo and video submissions of decorated Pride spaces must be sent into the organization by Monday, June 8, 2020 to allow time for editing.
A virtual food share and social is also planned for Friday, June 12, 2020 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Members of the QTBIPOC community will come together for a virtual meal and social event, taking place on Zoom.
For a listing of all currently planned events, visit https://outin.ca/2020/06/virtual-pride-2020/ and kingstonpride.ca.
The Kingston Pride Board of Directors isn’t completely discounting the possibility of in-person celebrations, eventually. “If, just if, we are able to come together in person later this summer or fall, we will. Right now we don’t think it makes sense to discuss when or where, but if physical-distancing guidelines are relaxed and it is safe to gather in person, we will. If it’s not possible, then rest assured that Kingston Pride 2021 will more than make up for anything we may miss this year.”