This year, Pride Week in Victoria looks different: no gatherings, no parties, no quintessential parade.
However, there are still tons of events and shows to attend and even more ways to celebrate.
OutWrite: The Third Annual Queer Youth Poetry Ezine
OutWrite provides LGBTQ2S+ youth an opportunity to showcase their poetry and art in an online zine. You can read the previous editions here.
This year’s categories are Love, Inspiration, Experiences, and Metaphorical. Creatives can submit their poetry and art along with their name and age to outwrite@victoriapridesociety.org.
The age categories are 13-15, 16-18, and 19-21. Submissions are open until June 30th.
The Vicarious Show
Since April, local drag stars Shelita Cox and Henriettae Dubét have hosted The Vicarious Show, a weekly online drag extravaganza. The show features a wide variety of local talent, including Chaz Avery, Honey Dewme, Eddi Licious, and Vivian Vanderpuss.
Check out the previous shows on their YouTube channel, and be sure to tune in to a premiere before they wrap up in July! You can donate directly to the performers via their GoFundMe page.
- When: Saturdays, 8 p.m. (until July 11th)
History of the Memorial Drag Ball Game: Documentary Premiere
The Memorial Drag Ball Game has been a fixture of Pride Week in Victoria since 1993. Drag queens, kings, and things all gather to play a friendly game of baseball in celebration of the simple joy of being.
The game originated with a group of friends who were looking for respite from the tragedy of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
This will be the first year without a game since the tradition began. Instead, the Victoria Pride Society will host a documentary on the history of the game on the Victoria Pride Society YouTube channel.
- When: July 1st, 12 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Pride Playreading — Animal Medicine
“Part biology lesson, part pet therapy session,” Eddi Wilson’s solo show Animal Medicine premiered at OUTstages in 2018. Tune in to Intrepid Theatre’s Facebook page to watch Wilson, also known as Eddi Licious, “explore the experience of a self-diagnosed human.”
- When: July 2nd, 7:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
The Virtual Big Gay Dog Walk
While we can’t gather together with our furry friends this year, the Big Gay Dog Walk continues! Enter the costume and trick contests online with three photos or a video of up to 20 seconds.
You and your pup have a chance to win a gift card to Boom + Batten as well as some of their signature organic dog treats! Tune in on YouTube to watch the show, hosted by Chaz Avery.
- When: July 3rd, 7 p.m.
The 2020 Virtual Pride Festival
It’s no surprise that Pride is going to be different this year. However, just because we have to forgo the parade doesn’t mean that we can’t throw a virtual party. This event is totally free and for all ages.
Keep an eye on their Facebook event page to see which local queer and trans artists will be performing.
- When: July 5th, 3 p.m. — 5 p.m.
Queerudition: The LGBT+ Workshop Series
Queerudition is a series of free workshops from the Victoria Pride Society, held on the last Friday of every other month.
The next workshop will focus on “sexual health through the lens of a sexual health toolkit,” covering everything from relationships to health care. Jennifer Gibson and Nick Sandor, community educators at Island Sexual Health, will run this youth-organized and -oriented event.
Register here and attend the event here!
- When: July 31st, 5 p.m. — 7 p.m.
So while there’s no raucous Pride parade to attend this year, Pride is by no means cancelled. And even without all of these events, Pride lives on, both in protest and in celebration.
