As we prepare for tomorrow’s Memorial Drag Ball Game, the Victoria Pride Society (VPS) is once again taking steps to support unhoused residents sheltering in Victoria West Park. VPS strongly believes that the displacement of those seeking shelter is unacceptable.
In advance of the event, we have reached out to the City of Victoria to ask that they do not remove people from the park on July 1. We’ve made several attempts to contact the appropriate departments and have left messages requesting compassion and flexibility for the day of the event. We will be working on an open letter to city officials to ask for changes in the bylaws that target our unhoused community members.
VPS representatives have also visited Victoria West Park in the days leading up to the event to connect directly with residents. We are letting folks know they are welcome to stay for the game, and we’re providing a meal and water on the day of. We are continuing these outreach efforts on the day of the event to ensure that residents know they are welcome and supported.
VPS recognizes that the housing crisis causes ongoing harm in our communities, disproportionately affecting gender, sexual and relationship diverse (GSRD) and other equity-deserving people. Our commitment is to ensure that our events are inclusive, safe, and accessible for all, and we know that there is always more work to do.
We remain dedicated to showing up for our community and advocating for the dignity and rights of those sheltering in Victoria West Park.
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.
