Nelson Pride

We are located in beautiful Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. Our local Pride Week is held yearly in late August/early September, but we aim to support our community year-round.

Our Story

What is Nelson Pride?

Kootenay PRIDE has transitioned to Nelson Pride! Kootenay PRIDE has a long and rich history of connecting Kootenay 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, starting from Nelson’s first parade in 1996.

We are incredibly happy that Pride in the Kootenays has expanded significantly since our beginnings. In order to honour and respect the work of other Kootenay-based Pride organizations, we are changing our name to better reflect the area we serve.

Nelson Pride (formerly Kootenay Pride) is a group of volunteers who organize and host the annual Pride parade and festivities in the city of Nelson, British Columbia. The Pride event has deep roots in the area, with our 1996 parade being the first pride parade in North America to occur outside of a major city. Accordingly, the group and its varying composition have long brought together the 2SLGBTQIA+ community from Nelson and the Kootenays at large. Those from all backgrounds and identities are welcome and encouraged at the parade and events, which gather a wonderful and eclectic crowd. Though we were paused in our organizing efforts for 2020 and 2021, we resumed the festivities in 2022, and we hope to continue to provide our beautiful city with events for years to come!

Purpose

The purpose of Nelson Pride is to create safer spaces to support, celebrate, and create awareness for the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities (Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual+) through a yearly celebration of Pride, regular events, and education for the public in the area colonially known as Nelson, BC.

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