Rugby Canada Celebrates Pride Month

June 1, 2023 (Langford, BC) – Today marks the beginning of Pride Month and Pride Season in Canada. Pride Season is a term that refers to the wide range of Pride events that take place over the summer (June to September) when 2SLGBTQI+ communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Historically, Pride gatherings emerged from the first large-scale protests for 2SLGBTQI+ rights. In Canada, the first demonstrations took place in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971. By 1973, Pride events were held in several Canadian cities, including Montréal, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

To show our support and allyship with the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Canada, Rugby Canada invites you to share the stories we tell during Pride Month and continue to work to make rugby an inclusive and welcoming sport for all.

Click below to view a variety of educational resources and to learn more about Pride Month and Pride Season in Canada.

• Pride Season Digital Toolkit
• Information and resources related to the Government of Canada's work to improve equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities
• Over 50 years of 2SLGBTQI+ activism in Canada – Video
• International Gay Rugby (IGR)

Additional Information and Resources:

• Mental Health in Sport (free)
• Support through Sport Series (all free)
• Understanding Teen Dating Violence
• Bystander Empowerment
• Modelling Healthy Relationships
• Gender Based Violence in Sport
• Canadian Women in Sport - Gender Equity Lens
• International Summit Tackling Transphobia and Homophobia in Sport - Bingham Cup 2022

A Conversation on Pride with Paige Farries and Elissa Alarie (2022)

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4