A message from the Office of the President
Each year in June, Pride Month celebrates the diversity, history, contributions, and achievements of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, while also raising awareness about further progress needed for equity and justice. We acknowledge that we have a lot more work to do on campus to create a safe and just environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff and faculty, and we are committed to that work.
While Pride Month is a time for celebration and joy, it is important that we stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ students, faculty, staff and alumni throughout the year to ensure that all members of our community can access the same rights and privileges.
We do not tolerate hateful, harmful or violent rhetoric targeting campus community members and would encourage anyone experiencing harm, discrimination, marginalization, or struggling during Pride Month or any time throughout the year to seek support from Campus Wellness or the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism.
At the University of Waterloo, we are grateful to be the home of the Glow Centre – the oldest continuously running queer and trans student organization in Canada. We are proud of, and thankful for, the work they do to support and advocate for students.
Pride Month serves as a platform for advocacy and education. In our most recent equity survey results, 26% of student respondents did not identify as heterosexual or straight. While progress has been made in recent years, 2SLGBTQIA+ people continue to face significant challenges, including discrimination, violence and a lack of legal protections, which disproportionately impact racialized trans and non-binary people. Pride events and activities provide opportunities for University community members to gather with one another, raise awareness, deepen relationships, share information and advocate for change.
Beginning this month, Pride colours will be on display at the main campus, as we unveil rainbow walkways outside the Dana Porter Library and at campus main entrances (University Ave. and Columbia St.). These walkways are a visible symbol of the importance of inclusion on our campuses, specifically, that every member of our community belongs here and plays a unique role in our success.
For the first time on our campus, the Two-Spirit Pride flag will be flown this month, alongside the Intersex-Inclusive Progress flag. The Two-Spirit Pride flag represents our on-going commitment towards the indigenization of our campuses.
Both flags reflect the intersectional work being done across our institution to ensure that everyone at Waterloo feels like they belong. Many other activities are planned this month to celebrate Pride Month across our campuses, and I would encourage you to take part.
Strong, engaged communities are those that provide a voice and a sense of belonging to all members and we are committed to centering the voices of the 2SLGBTQIA+ campus community.
Thank you for your contributions to making our community more inclusive. Happy Pride Month!
Our stories
Read about our students, researchers and alumni who are making a difference.
The great gaggle of Waterloo
Waterloo grad Rachel Jung crosses the stage this spring at convocation and leaves behind a gaggle of geese artwork
Drag queen math teacher rises up from loss and shame
Kyne Santos (BMath '21) reflects on being eliminated from Canada's Drag Race and what her late father taught her about life
Waterloo makes campus more inclusive for Two-Spirit, Trans and Non-Binary community members
At least one washroom in almost every building on campus will soon be designated for use by all genders
Celebrating the impact of Glow
The Glow Centre spans decades of making a difference to thousands of 2SLGBTQIA+ folks
Pride 2023 Events in Waterloo Region
For other queer community events during the month of June (pride and non-pride themed) check out this calendar by SPECTRUM.
June 2
-
OK2BME Pride Prom 2023 | Pride Prom for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and allies (ages 13-18) at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts
-
Pridefest – Witch + Wellness | Kitchener’s premier witchy festival with local vendors, artists, Drag and Burlesque performers
June 3
-
Pride Kick-Off – Family Day ($) | Large 2SLGBTQ+ vendors market, dance workshops, food, drinks and music, face-painting, balloon animals and henna in Cambridge
-
Pride Patio Party | Beer launch, food, and music where portion of proceeds from beer sale will go to SPECTRUM
-
Pride Kick-Off Drag Bingo Hosted by Crystal Quartz ($) | Bingo and drag performances, 19+ event in Cambridge
June 9
-
Pre-Pride Party Drag Show - Presented by Cinched Events ($) | Drag show on the rooftop patio at McCabe's in downtown Kitchener
June 10
-
Tri-Pride | Join this annual festival in Willow River Park with over 50 vendors, a kid's zone, a licensed 19+ beergarten, and over 20 performers including Drag.
- Dive Into Pride – Pride After Party | Celebrate Pride Month with the ultimate tri-pride after party, hosted by Kitchener's Comedy Queen, Kasha Czech. Featuring an amazing cast of local talent, Basic Taylor, Nadia Diamond (Miss Tri-Pride 2012), Manny Manila, Fetishini Alfredo, and guest from the Royal City, international diva Madison Ave!
- Queer Night Out Pride Dance | Join the annual Pride Dance hosted by Queer Night Out and the Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region! This year we will be a new location THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener (19+).
June 11
- Pride Brunch | Finish off your tri-Pride weekend with a Brunch at the Bruce Crafthouse inside the Cambridge Hotel. Six tunning performers are taking stage to help keep the Pride celebrations going!
June 12
- Family Pride at THEMUSEUM | Story time from Tik-Tok sensation - Ladybird Fancypants, comedy and youth motivational speaker - Kez Vicario-Robinson, family-friendly Drag performance from TroyBoy Entertainment, and all day crafts, screen printing and LGBTQ2S+ community resources
June 15
- Waterloo Brewing Pride Trivia Night | Join Pride Trivia with Quizmaster Steve. Teams can be made of 2-6 people. Winning team will receive a $50 gift card to the Waterloo Brewing Taphouse.
June 16
- Together in Pride Ride | Join a cycling event in Kitchener to help bring visibility to members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities for Pride Month, and attention to cycling in Kitchener for Bike Month.
June 17
- Woolwich Pride in Elmira | Join the 2SLGBTQ+ community in celebrating the inaugural Woolwich Pride, a free, family-friendly event that is open to the public.
June 18
- Cowboys & Angels Cut-a-thon | Cowboys & Angels hosting a cut-a-thon with proceeds benefitting Spectrum and ACCKWA. If you’d like to book a haircut please call 519.579.9880. There will be drag performance and Pit crew members from Canada’s Drag Race, raffles and BBQ.
June 20
- Speed Friending at Café Pyrus – Pride Edition | A special Pride event this month in partnership with Spectrum to help our local 2SLGBTQIA+ friends connect and build community! Tickets will be on sale July 6th at noon.
June 24
- Habitat for Humanity Pride Build | Pride Build welcomes friends and supporters of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to swing a hammer and build with us at our Kehl Street location in support of our vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. No construction experience is required.
- The Robin’s Next Revisited | The Robin’s Nest was a lesbian bar in Cambridge for 30+ years. An all ages 2SLGBTQ+ event at the old Robin’s Nest location for an inter-generational queer history public discussion and reunion. At 4pm, those who are interested can head over to the Old Galt Bottle Company for an after party.