This page will be updated as details come together! For Pride month, Spectrum is excited to work with many great community partners to present a series of events and activities that both celebrate members of our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and promote equal rights and visibility. Remember, Pride is not just a party, it’s a protest.
Here’s a short video featuring local 2SLGBTQIA+ people talking about what Pride means to them.
Our third annual fundraising gala will take place on June 13, 2024! Get your tickets here!
Our headliner is Brandon Ash-Mohammed, a fresh face in comedy. Brandon has been named a JFL Montreal New Face and was the winner of a Canadian Screen Award for his work as Head Writer on Canada’s Drag Race.
Our MC is Robert Watson, an award-winning playwright, performer, fragrance aficionado extraordinaire, and producer and host of Gay AF. The show will also feature high-energy punch-up comedian Mikey Dykeman and Second City-trained, Rush Kazi.
Dinner will be from B Elegant Catering, and the event will take place at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.
This event is presented by Co-operators Insurance, and also sponsored by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Company of Canada, Liftow, Stantec, Gowling WLG, and the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce. Get your tickets here!
Friday May 31, 2024 – 11am-1pm – City of Waterloo Pride Kick-Off
Join us at Waterloo Public Square when the City of Waterloo will unveil their new rainbow crosswalk. There will be an Indigenous drum circle and remarks from Mayor McCabe, Scott Williams, and other community members.
Saturday June 1, 2024 – 12pm – tri-Pride Festival
Find us at the tri-Pride Festival in Willow River Park (Victoria Park) on June 1st! We’ll have free pronoun pins and other swag to share!
Saturday June 1, 2024 8pm-1am – Purple Prism Pride Dance
We look forward to attending RCWR’s annual Pride Dance at THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener! Doors open at 8pm.
This year’s theme is… Purple Prism! Get ready to dance under the vibrant hues of the rainbow and let your colors shine as you flaunt your favourite shade of purple or any hue of the rainbow! Don’t miss out on the magic as we come together to celebrate community!
Sunday June 2, 2024 10am-3pm – Family Pride
Find us at THEMUSEUM’s 3rd annual Family Pride event.
All Day: 2SLGBTQ+ Community resource booths, exhibits, crafts and UGS activity
10:30 a.m.: Anat Hector-Brown
11:30 a.m.: Chris Paul Rainbows
1:30 p.m: Maverick the Dinosaur Celebrates Pride
2:15 p.m: Music Lessons with Melody Bijou
Friday June 7, 2024 – 7-8pm – Together in Pride Ride
Join the City of Kitchener, Spectrum, and OK2BME for a cycling event in Kitchener to help bring visibility to members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities for Pride Month, and attention to cycling in Kitchener for Bike Month. We’ll meet at 44 Gaukel for a 7km fun and casual ride. There will be prizes for the best pride-themed bike decorations or clothing!
Saturday June 8, 2024 10:30am-12:30pm – Families Under the Rainbow: Game On!
Join us at Waterloo Public Library’s Eastside Branch for a morning of giant games and board games in a safe and welcoming space. Kids ages 5 to 10 years with a caregiver. Please register each child attending.
Saturday June 8, 2024 – Grand River Pride Street Party
Find us at the Grand River Pride Street Party. The day will be packed with activities, market vendors, performers and so much more! Spectrum will be there from 1-8pm.
Saturday June 8, 2024 1-5pm – TWB Pride Patio Party
We’re pleased to collaborate with TWB again. Join us for live music featuring “Ground Cover” a local band from the 2SLGBTQ+ community, fresh beer including TWB’s limited release Pride Beer (A portion of the proceeds from their EQUAL lime pepper saison will be donated to Spectrum), ciders and non-alcoholic drink options available, delicious food, and lots of great people!
Saturday June 15, 2024 1-4pm – Woolwich Pride
Find us at the second annual Woolwich Pride in Gibson Park! This is a a free, family-friendly event that is open to the public. Enjoy food, music, magic, face painting, and so much more!
Sunday June 16, 2024 11am-4pm – Cowboys & Angels Cut-a-Thon
Cowboys and Angels uptown Waterloo is celebrating 25 years in business with an all ages complementary event featuring Tynomi Banks, Carson Kressley, Boa, Miss Drew, Melody Bijou, Sasha Tease, Archer Backmore, Vanity Affairr, Miss Conduct, and Hands on Exotics. There will be readings from Stars and Crown, and tunes by DJliquidg.
Haircuts by appointment only from the talented staff will be taking place inside. There will be a food truck, BBQ, raffle prizes AND MORE!
Pride Walking Tour
Unfortunately, this didn’t quite come together in time for this year but watch for it to happen in the future! Stroll Walking Tours, RCWR, and Spectrum will continue to develop this Pride Walking Tour of Downtown Kitchener. If you have stories or ideas for what should be included please let us know!
Thursday June 20, 2024 6:15pm-7:45pm – Conversations for Community Care – 2SLGBTQIA+ Mental Health
We are pleased to be participating in this panel discussion on 2SLGBTQIA+ Mental Health, organized by Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services.
This is a free event, open to everyone, and attendees will leave with ideas, tools, and resources for supporting their own mental health as well as the mental health of other 2SLGBTQIA+ members of the community.
Saturday July 13, 2024 – Pride Market and Rainbow Elders Panel
Join Schneider Haus and Spectrum on July 13th for our Pride Market and elder talk event! This isn’t just your average market, its a celebration of everything our vibrant community has to offer! Our event will have something for everybody with an amazing line up of vendors, LIVE music performed by Coraline James, a panel discussion with Rainbow Elders and story time and crafts with the Kitchener Public Library. Support our wonderful community and enjoy free PRIDE cookies and glitter tattoos all afternoon long! We can’t wait to celebrate Pride with you!
The market is open on July 13th from 12-4pm at Schneider Haus (466 Queen St S, Kitchener, ON N2G 1W7).
12pm-12:50pm – Performance by Coraline James
1-2pm – Rainbow Elders Panel
2-3pm – Storytime with KPL
3-4pm – crafts
All activities will be taking place outdoors at Schneider Haus.
Thursday June 13, 2024 6-9:30pm – Third Annual Fundraising Gala
Our third annual fundraising gala will take place on June 13, 2024! Get your tickets here!
Our headliner is Brandon Ash-Mohammed, a fresh face in comedy. Brandon has been named a JFL Montreal New Face and was the winner of a Canadian Screen Award for his work as Head Writer on Canada’s Drag Race.
Our MC is Robert Watson, an award-winning playwright, performer, fragrance aficionado extraordinaire, and producer and host of Gay AF. The show will also feature high-energy punch-up comedian Mikey Dykeman and Second City-trained, Rush Kazi.
Thank You to our Silent Auction Item Donors!
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health
Cedars – a gay and lesbian campground
Donald Ross
Graffiti Market/Stockyards Brewing
Jane Baggesen
Jill at Tied Together Macrame Collective
Katie Brown
Starbucks