The Victoria Pride Society acknowledges that it organizes and works on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, and that the land’s relationships with the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples have existed since time immemorial. Further to this acknowledgement, the Victoria Pride Society affirms that colonialism, and the attitudes and practices that have accompanied it, continue to contribute to systemic discrimination and violence against Indigenous Peoples.
Victoria Pride Society (VPS) exists to celebrate and support the gender, sexuality, and relationship diverse (GSRD) communities and their intersecting identities through inclusive, accessible, and justice-oriented events. Pride belongs to the whole community, and our responsibility is to hold space for joy, visibility, protest, and solidarity.
In response to community questions, feedback, and the evolving political context, we are sharing the following updates and affirmations across four key areas:
Pride began as a protest against ongoing police brutality toward queer communities, particularly queer, gender non-conforming, and racialized people. While some in our community view police participation in the Pride Parade as a sign of social progress, we recognize that for many others, the presence of uniformed police contradicts the spirit of Pride and can evoke feelings of fear or unsafety.
Victoria Pride has a longstanding relationship with local organizations working to make policing more responsive and accountable to equity-seeking communities. We appreciate the dialogue and progress made through these conversations.
2SLGBTQIA+ officers are welcome to participate in our Change Makers contingent in plain clothes. This approach honours their identities while centering the comfort and safety of the wider community.
Due to City regulations, some police presence is required at our events. VPS has worked with the Victoria Police Department to limit this presence to what is necessary. Police remain on the periphery of the Festival grounds, and any required walk-throughs are conducted with a VPS representative.
We remain committed to minimizing harm and ensuring safety for all attendees, especially those who have historically faced persecution from law enforcement.
Pride has always been a movement against oppression. It began as a response to police violence and government inaction toward queer and trans communities, particularly Black, Brown, and gender-diverse people. That fight for dignity and freedom connects us to people facing systemic oppression around the world.
Victoria Pride Society stands in solidarity with Palestinians and all communities facing violence, occupation, and displacement. As part of this commitment, VPS has approved a contingent in the Pride Parade for groups advocating for Palestinian liberation.
We know that this is an ongoing learning process. We are listening to our communities and navigating this with care, understanding that Queer liberation is deeply connected to the liberation of all oppressed people.
Pride is made possible by community, by the energy, labour, and love that countless individuals, organizations, and businesses contribute each year. VPS strives to reflect a wide range of community needs, knowing that no one vision of Pride fits all.
Pride events are opportunities for visibility, advocacy, joy, mourning, and resistance. They are built to center the most marginalized in our communities.
To reflect these values:
Revenue from parade fees, festival vendors, community donations, and sponsorships enables us to pay local artists and compensate community members for organizing events that welcome over 100,000 attendees annually.
We know there is still work to do. We remain committed to listening, improving, and staying accountable to the people and values on which Pride was built. Pride belongs to the whole community.
The safety and well-being of all attendees, volunteers, and participants at our events is our first priority.
We recognize that Pride is rooted in protest and that peaceful resistance has played an essential role in advancing gender, sexuality, and relationship diverse (GSRD) rights. At the same time, Pride is one of the few spaces where many in our communities, particularly those who are marginalized and vulnerable, feel truly safe, seen, and celebrated.
We work hard to ensure our events remain safe, accessible, and welcoming for all who attend. This includes having clear protocols in place to respond to any disruptions or actions that may impact participants' safety or experience.
We acknowledge that there are many passionate voices within our communities and that disagreements will arise. VPS is committed to hearing community concerns, even when they are difficult or uncomfortable. We believe in dialogue, mutual respect, and building solidarity through connection, not division.
In this moment, when the rights and freedoms of 2SLGBTQIA+ people are under increasing threat globally, we ask that all who attend our events help us protect Pride as a space of joy, resistance, and collective care.
The Victoria Pride Society will continue to review its policies, learn from community feedback, and uphold the core values of equity, inclusion, and intersectional justice. We are committed to ensuring that Pride remains a space where all community members feel safe, celebrated, and empowered.
The Victoria Pride Society Team
The Victoria Pride Society acknowledges that it organizes and works on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen Peoples and that the land’s relationships with the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples have existed since time immemorial. Further to this acknowledgement, the Victoria Pride Society affirms that colonialism and the attitudes and practices that have accompanied it contribute to systemic discrimination and violence against Indigenous Peoples and all marginalized and equity-deserving people. Read more.
