Celebrating 50 Years of Identity, Advocacy, and Community
This Pride, Rainbow Resource Centre has much to celebrate: we’ve moved to our new location at 545 Broadway where we’re building a complete queer campus — Place of Pride — which will include Canada’s first affordable housing for 2SLGBTQ+ older adults, and we’re celebrating 50 years of 2SLGBTQ+ identity, advocacy, and community. We have many events, workshops, and prizes lined up for Pride season — come out, celebrate, and tell us what you hope for the next 50 years.
Bookmark this page! This will be your source for the latest details as we move through this busy season.
Events
Youth Pride Dance
Date: Saturday, May 20, 7 pm – 10 pm
Location: WECC (West End Cultural Centre), 586 Ellice Ave.
Cost: Free
Hosted by: Madison Neapew, Youth Program Coordinator
Kick off Pride season early, Saturday, May 20, at the West End Cultural Centre as Rainbow Resource Centre's Youth Program's Madison Neapew and Alice Charles bring you the biggest, best Youth Pride Dance.
Featuring DJ Kaptain and drag performances by Jolean Groundbeef and Ruby Chopstix
Gender-Inclusive washrooms, craft corner, and tasty snacks!
This is a dry event.
If These Walls Could Talk: 50 Years of 2SLGBTQ+ Activism in Winnipeg — Launch Event
Date: Friday, May 26, 12:45 pm – 2:30 pm (speeches at 1 pm)
Location: Manitoba Museum, Welcome Gallery, 190 Rupert Ave.
Cost: Free; by invitation, limited registration
Hosted by: Ashley Smith, Director of Advocacy
The Manitoba Museum, in partnership with Rainbow Resource Centre, invites you to experience the fight for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, respect, and representation in Manitoba. On Friday, May 26 — the first day of Pride — come to City Hall for the raising of the Pride flag, then join us across the street at the Manitoba Museum for speeches and refreshments as we begin telling the stories of those who fought and continue the fight for queer/trans rights in Manitoba.
Rainbow's Pride Lunch & Learn Sessions
Date: June 1 – June 29, 12 pm – 1 pm
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: $50
Hosted by: Bre Calma, Training & Education Coordinator
This Pride Season, Rainbow invites you to take part in a month of learning designed to equip you with the basics as you start your journey of 2SLGBTQ+ awareness, inclusion, and affirmation, and help you to get a better understanding of the history of Pride, and the fight for equal rights here in Manitoba.
2SLGBTQ+ Identities: Part 1—Sex assigned at birth and gender identity. Topics include intersex identities and diverse genders (e.g. transgender, nonbinary, etc.).
2SLGBTQ+ Identities: Part 2—Gender expression. Topics include pronouns and gender-inclusive language.
2SLGBTQ+ Identities: Part 3—Attraction and culture. Topics include diverse attractions (e.g. gay, bisexual, etc.) and cultural identities (e.g. Two-Spirit).
History of Stonewall—This Pride Lunch and Learn session will give you a better understanding of the events and key individuals of the Stonewall Uprising, and how the need for resistance continues on.
Queer History of Manitoba—The Pride Lunch and Learn session will explore the history of the queer community in Manitoba from pre-contact to present day.
- June 1, History of Stonewall — Register
- June 6, 2SLGBTQ+ Identities: Part 1 — Register
- June 7, 2SLGBTQ+ Identities: Part 1 (repeat) — Register
- June 12, Queer History in Manitoba — Register
- June 13, 2SLGBTQ+ Identities: Part 2 — Register
- June 14, 2SLGBTQ+ Identities: Part 2 (repeat) — Register
- June 20, 2SLGBTQ+ Identities: Part 3 — Register
- June 21, 2SLGBTQ+ Identities: Part 3 (repeat) — Register
- June 28, History of Stonewall (repeat) — Register
- June 29, Queer History in Manitoba (repeat) — Register
Queer Activism: Now More Than Ever
Date: Friday, June 2, 7 pm – 8 pm
Location: Manitoba Museum, Auditorium, 190 Rupert Ave.
Cost: Free
Hosted by: Ashley Smith, Director of Advocacy
The Manitoba Museum, in partnership with Rainbow Resource Centre, hosts a special Pride Week First Friday event — Queer Activism: Now More Than Ever. This panel discussion, featuring three experts on queer issues and activism in Winnipeg, and hosted by Ashley Smith, Director of Advocacy at Rainbow Resource Centre, will explore how the global rise of an anti-queer rhetoric threatens the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ people, and how the fight against discrimination continues.
Panelists include:
Ashley Smith (host), Director of Advocacy, Rainbow Resource Centre | Karen Sharma, Executive Director, Manitoba Human Rights Council; co-organizer, Queer People of Colour Winnipeg | Noah Schulz, professor, researcher, author, University of Winnipeg | Brie Villeneuve, student/activist.
Saturday Night Pride
Date: Saturday, June 3, 9 pm – 2 am
Location: Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 85 Israel Asper Way
Hosted by: Rainbow Resource Centre and the CMHR
Get ready to come through to the ultimate celebration of love and diversity at Saturday Night Pride. We’re going to turn the party with an unforgettable night of music, dancing and drag performances that will leave you empowered and inspired. Featuring Canada’s Drag Race star Synthia Kiss, Vancouver’s Xanax, and Winnipeg’s own Kymera and Glimmer, and music of Mama Cutsworth.
Pride Pancake Breakfast
Date: Sunday, June 4, 8 am – 9:30 am
Location: Club 200, 190 Garry St.
Hosted by: Madison Neapew, Youth Program Coordinator; Alice Charles, Camp Aurora Coordinator
Join Rainbow Resource Centre's Youth Program as we hold our annual Pride Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for Camp Aurora! Join us before the Pride March for a Pride Breakfast prepared by Club 200 and Rainbow Resource Centre's Youth Program.
Intergenerational Tea Party
Date: Saturday, June 10, 1 pm – 3 pm
Location: Dalnavert Museum, 61 Carlton St.
Hosted by: Madison Neapew, Youth Program Coordinator; Elizabeth McMechan, Older Adult Program Coordinator
This year the Intergenerational Tea Party tradition gets real fancy. Join Rainbow’s Youth and Older Adult programs at Dalnavert Museum to share in stories and perspectives shared across the ages. Free Tea and Dainties provided, Gluten free and vegetarian options available. All ages welcome.
Drag Bowling 4: Pride Edition
Date: Saturday, June 24, 9:30 pm – 1am
Location: Park Alleys (South Osborne), 730 Osborne St.
Hosted by: Sonya Bertoncello-May, Community Relations and Events Manager
Join us at Park Alleys once again as Drag Bowling celebrates Pride season. This time we’ve got Moxie, Drag King Imp, Orion Sbelt, and reigning Crown Princess of the Snowy Owl Monarchist Society, Izabell Silver. Music will be provided by DJ Roy.
Pride Festival
Pride Festival Community Table
Date: Saturday, June 3 – Sunday, June 4
Location: Pride Festival Grounds at The Forks, 1 Forks Market Rd.
Hosted by: Jonah Wilde, Volunteer Coordinator; Volunteer Groups
Come to Rainbow Resource Centre’s Community Table at the Pride Festival at the Forks. Learn about our programs and services, meet participants and volunteers, and see how you can get more involved in Manitoba’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. Plus — get your tickets for the 50/50 Raffle!
Pride Parade Float
Date: Sunday, June 4, 11 am
Location: from Memorial Park to the Forks
Hosted by: Sonya Bertoncello-May, Community Relations and Events Manager; Jonah Wilde, Volunteer Coordinator
To commemorate our 50th Anniversary, as well as the significant role we play in Manitoba’s 2SLGBTQ+ community, this year Rainbow Resource Centre has been named Community Organization Group Marshall of Winnipeg Pride. As such, our float will feature close to the beginning of the parade and we will be making a speech at the Manitoba Legislative Building, at the rally before the parade starts.
50/50 Raffle
Get Your Tickets Now for the 50/50 Raffle Supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ Community!
We're thrilled to announce that tickets for the Rainbow Resource Centre and Pride Winnipeg's 50/50 Raffle are now on sale! Join us in building a brighter future for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in our city by participating in this incredible collaboration.
By purchasing a ticket, you not only have the chance to win an impressive cash prize but also contribute to an important cause. Every dollar raised from this raffle will be reinvested in our local community, supporting initiatives that uplift and empower the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
The raffle is open to all current Manitoba residents aged 18 and above. To secure your entry, simply click here to purchase your tickets. Starting at just $10, these tickets offer an affordable opportunity to win big. For those seeking even more chances to win, ticket bundles are also available.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!
Community Partners
Every year, the artists and businesses in Winnipeg and Manitoba show their solidarity with 2SLGBTQ+ communities by running amazing promotions through Pride season. All of us at Rainbow say Thank You!
The money raised supports our programming and services all year long, ensuring we can be a safe space and reliable resource for the thousands of people who access us every year.
This Pride season, check in regularly to see how you can shop and support Rainbow Resource Centre.
Place of Pride
Rainbow Resource Centre has been a hub of support and community for 2SLBGTQ+ people in Winnipeg for 50 years.
There’s been a lot of progress during that time, but there is still a huge need for a space where 2SLBGTQ+ folk can just drop-in, gather with others, and find a sense of belonging.
There’s also a high and steadily-growing demand for affordable housing dedicated to 2SLBGTQ+ older adults—somewhere they will feel safe, supported and surrounded by community.
Now, after 50 years, Winnipeg’s 2SLGBTQ+ community will soon have its own home at last—a place for everyone, at every age and stage of life.
Learn more and donate to Place of Pride
Learn More About Rainbow Resource Centre
New to Rainbow Resource Centre? Click the links below to learn more about our programs and services.
- Informational brochures about Rainbow Resource Centre
- Rainbow Resource Centre programs
- Rainbow Resource Centre social & support groups
- Rainbow Resource Centre educational workshops
- Rainbow Resource Centre volunteer opportunities
History
Rainbow Resource Centre began in 1973 as a student group at the University of Manitoba. Over the following five decades we've advocated for the community, moved several times, changed our name a few times, and set out on an exciting path into the future.
For an overview of our history, please click here.