Take Pride in Oshawa this June

It is finally June, the best time of year to visit Oshawa. June marks the kickoff of 2SLGBTQ+ Pride season, with cities across Canada hosting parades through to September. Pride month is recognized in June to commemorate the Stonewall riots. Cities such as Fredericton, Halifax and St. John’s celebrate Pride in July, partly to benefit from more reliable weather, and partly to tie Canada Day celebrations and Pride observations together. Ottawa celebrates Pride Month in August to memorialize the August 28, 1971, We Demand protest, Canada’s first public gay liberation demonstration. Calgary is having its Pride Parade on September 1. I offer this little but of history as an invitation to learn more about the richness of Canadian Queer liberation struggles, and more reasons to celebrate all the way into fall. As Trans Canadian artist Elliott Page has said, “We deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise.” Head to Oshawa to find community, recharge, and dance!

I have attended Pride events in Toronto, New Orleans, Montreal, New York, and even Texas. But I have to say that Oshawa truly has some of the best events. Oshawa’s very own Club 717 (our local Queer bar, 717 Wilson Road South) is hosting Drag Queen Moves. Turn up on Saturday, June 14, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to this all-ages, all-abilities, all-inclusive, free event. One of the most heartwarming videos I saw recently was of kids fully expressing themselves while they danced alongside a drag performer. As Whitney Houston hit the high notes, the kid and the artist whipped their hair around, having what looked like the most fun ever, with cheers from the audience. Whether they are reading books to kids at local libraries or teaching the future how to fully love themselves, destigmatizing joy, or doing the brave work of living boldly, Oshawa’s queens have a special blend of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, talent, and so much more!

We love a fabulous free community event in Oshawa.

Going to a drag brunch to support the queens is always a good time, but this year, I am looking forward to my first drag rave. On Saturday, June 21, the Atria Bar & Grill is hosting Pride Month Mayhem, the last stop for the Cult of Love. From 9 to 11:30 p.m., there will surely be sweating, dancing, letting loose, and pure grooving to good vibes.

June is also the month of Oshawa’s Peony Festival, celebrating its 13th consecutive FEO (Festival and Events Ontario) Top 100 award. On June 7 and 8, starting at 11 a.m., visit 155 Arena Street to take in the bounty of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens. Judging the best peonies takes place inside the arena, while the grounds will host vendors, artists, food trucks, and furry friends. This event is so full of earthy energy, and it is such a perfect spring day. If you haven’t already, grab a friend and show them around the award-winning Peony Festival!

From June 15 to 21 is also Oshawa’s annual Fiesta Week. The Oshawa Folk Arts Council website boasts, “Fiesta Week is Oshawa’s longest-running cultural celebration, bringing together music, dance, food, and traditions from around the world. Powered by volunteers, it’s a week-long experience filled with energy, diversity, and connection.” As someone who has Jamaican roots, I find it really fun to visit the Club Carib pavilion and see the offerings of people and cultures from all around the Caribbean. There is also representation for the Portuguese, Polish, Greek, Hungarian, German, French-Canadian, Italian, and Romanian communities.

Fiesta Fun Fact: Globie, Oshawa Fiesta Week's Mascot, is more popular than Santa Claus in Oshawa.

Oshawa is such a diverse city, with many opportunities to find your own community or appreciate other communities' culture, style, dance, and flavour. To enter any pavilion after 4 p.m., you will require a passport, which is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors who bring ID, and free for children aged 13 and under. Bring cash to purchase your pavilion passport at any booth, or at the main event, the OFAC Booth during the Fiesta Week Concert and Street Festival.

The free Fiesta Week Concert and Street Festival takes place on June 15 from noon until 5 p.m. at Memorial Park. This fun event kicks off a week full of celebrating the roots and culture of our neighbours, near and far. It is a beautiful event that reminds us that we are all connected, that we are closer together than we might think. It is a beautiful opportunity to show the best of Oshawa and invite folks to come see what all the fuss is about!

To support LGBTQ+ businesses, here is a list of some of my favourites: PrairieFruitArts, The No BS Label, Art and Alchemy, adrienne maree brown, The ReiQueer, and Art by Corvid. This Pride Month, don’t just attend the super special events that offer safety, inclusion, freedom, and community to the Queer community. Be sure to also patronize their businesses, support their calls for liberation, read James Baldwin, and of course, dance. To quote a Queer scholar who is pulling from the Zapatistas, “I want to live in a world where many worlds fit.” The businesses I highlighted above occupy several intersections, including afro-Indigenous, disabled, neurodiverse, and female-owned. There is space for everyone, and it is important to show up for each other.

Hand-made jewelry by The No BS Label.

We can do that by taking to the streets, participating in the food and dance of our local community members, indulging in nature’s flowerful bounty, and generally being people interested in the safety and celebration of others.

No city has a better ground game for this kind of community than Oshawa. I already know that before and after all these events, folks will stop by Brew Wizards for a pint and a chance to check out the next Punk Night. I know they will get a sweet treat from Kareza Café or stop by for a late-night Japanese pancake. Oshawa is such a walkable city, with a spot for everyone to feel welcome and supported. These Oshawa mainstays bring thousands of tourists every year, and this year is sure to be no different.

I am so proud of this city and its people. I can’t wait to see you out and about, caring for each other, and remembering that we are a community.