"Change" is the operative word for this year’s Pride celebrations from June 6 – 13, 2004. It was with a great deal of excitement that Pride Committee Co-Chairs Linda Craig and James Faulkner sat down on the patio at Money Pennies to tell gaycalgary.com about the plans for this year’s festivities.

"We are really lucky this year to have so much community support." Faulkner said. "Everything is new: the parade route, the street festival location, and the Pride Dance is at Hall D of the Roundup Center. We have really focused in the centre of the community and in quality locations. I don’t think when we first started that we had any idea we would ever reach this level."

Pride has come along way from its humble beginnings fourteen years ago. Then it was a political rally, organized by Vicki Menzies, held in Center Street Park, and vastly different from today’s event.

"It was an incredible thing, as some of the attendees were wearing masks because they knew media would be out. It was a political statement that it wasn’t safe to be out, and really 14 years is not that long ago. It has certainly come a long way," said Craig.

"This is our second term together as co-chairs. When we compare what we did a few years ago to today, you can see a difference. With community support and people not being afraid to be out, we have come so far; it is quite amazing actually," Faulkner added.

Craig has been involved with the Pride Committee for the past seven years and reflected back on its evolution over that period.

"When I was first there, it was a political statement. We would be down at the provincial buildings holding rallies. The parade would actually start there and run through downtown on a Sunday where there was no one to watch it and see it, and there were not a lot of participants. What has happened over those seven years is we have turned the event into more of a celebration. The parade and festival has been brought out to the community. With the parade route being on 17th Avenue, people will see it if they are just shopping on 17th Ave or just around there." Craig recalled the first time that she realized the Parade had become accepted and a celebration. "The first time people started bringing out chairs along the route and sat waiting for it [the parade] to come by was four years ago; it was something I didn’t expect at all. To see spectators, like at the Stampede Parade, made tears run down my face, and I was trying to tape it, but I couldn’t see the screen because it was blurry. That was such an incredible moment for Calgary to have it turn into a celebration that anybody would come to and be a part of. People would walk along watching the parade and then jump into it. It’s evolved into a "people parade" rather than a gay parade. Friends, family, co-workers, anybody can join it. That is what is very unique about it – people do feel they can jump in and feel safe, and they want to be a part of it."

The street fair also took off, with Pride closing off a street and inviting vendors to sell their goods and establish their names in the community. The Street Festivals have also featured the popular beer gardens, live musical performances, drag performers, and children’s activities like face painting and a play area. Local bar staff and owners, including Izora Jackson Jones in full drag, have raised money by having gleeful people attempt to dunk them in the dunk tank.

This year the festival moves from its former location at Connaught School to Tompkins Park on 17th Avenue. Both chairs are excited about the move.

"We are linking up with some incredible community associations like the 17th Ave BRZ, who are allowing us to move the street fair to a very public location right in the heart of the community. Moving it from the school ground is a big step in evolving and progressing the concept of this whole party," said Craig. "People who are walking along 17th Avenue will happen upon our wonderful celebration and can be a part of it. Having it at the school ground was great, but you didn’t happen upon it; you were there because you knew it was there. Having it at Tompkins Park, it will be a neat opportunity for people to come and be a part of it."

Faulkner added that the new location increases the comfort factor for those who are not fully out or just newly experiencing Pride.

"If you are not out or newly coming out, you can wander down 17th for no apparent reason and wander in. If you are not comfortable, you can say ‘Oh I was just wandering down 17th and saw this happening.’ When I was coming out in Toronto, I went out by accident and did stumble across things. It made it easier."

There was controversy in Edmonton last year when Mayor Bill Smith refused to declare Gay Pride Week, before finally succumbing to public pressure and doing so. Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, on the other hand, has already announced he will proclaim Gay Pride Week for the second year in a row. The parade has long had support from the city and politicians, including former Prime Minister Joe Clark as Parade Marshal in 2000. The Committee is thankful for the support.

"It gives you a realization that we are as much a part of Calgary as any other community. It’s nice to have the support and not feel like you have to apologize for asking for a park or contacting places. To have it there and recognized is great," said Faulkner.

Part of what makes the celebrations so important is that it allows those just coming out to see they are not alone. In the April issue of gaycalgary.com magazine, Verge owner Annette Nelson said "People say ‘why march in the parade?’ my response is ‘Do it for the 16 year old who feels they are alone in the world.’ When I saw my first pride march on TV, even though it was small, I was like ‘Wow, there are people I can talk too.’" Faulkner and Craig agree with that statement.

"It makes you realize that you are doing something for a good reason. When you go out to the bar, you frequently see the same people, and we all have friends who are outside bars and events, so when you see those people at Pride events it is quite nice," said Faulkner. Craig agrees.

"The most incredible thing I see is all the people I don’t normally see out. I don’t frequent bars and events a great deal. I am out enough to be surprised to see all of these people that I don’t know where they are the rest of the year, but all of a sudden during pride week, we see hundreds of people coming out that are a part of the event. That is what excites me, and why we do this, being a part of this team that creates this event. It is such an incredible feeling to see people feeling safe enough to come out into a very public event with lots of media. I don’t know where they come from, but they make a point of being there that day."

Others, however, criticize the parade as being too flamboyant and concentrating on aspects like the leather and drag communities or think that it is too political. The co-chairs wanted to clear up some misconceptions.

"The preconceptions about drag queens or the leather community and such, they are part of the community." Faulkner said. "Because we are an adult community as opposed to a community based on nationality, we are allowed to be a little more outrageous. There are parts to it that other cities get carried away at. In Calgary, we try and tone it down, so the parade is something you can bring your kids to. Generally people only have a problem when they pre-judge."

"Gays and Lesbians are the only culture that crosses over every nationality and type of person." Craig added. "Within a family, you may not have another gay person, and you have to connect to a community in some way. We are so diverse because we come from such a broad background: single moms and dads to people without kids, wealthy to poor, sports-focused to drag queens; it all comes together. It’s an example of the gay community just like the Stampede Parade is an example of the straight community. For some people it will always be a political statement just by existing. Those that want it to be it will; others it is just not an issue. I am very exhausted by the thought that gays and lesbians still have issues we have to fight for, so to come to a party and just be surrounded by acceptance is such an incredible feeling and what we are aiming for. To have it once a year, this size of an event; it’s fantastic. We exist whether people like it or not, and to come out in such a public way is a feeling I hope people can realize. Those wondering whether they should go or not, they should because there is nothing like it."

One of the great things about Pride is that it is so positive. Those who attend are surrounded by like-minded people and can feel free to be themselves in a public environment. In the past there have been concerns, such as talk of Reverend Phelps coming to boycott the parade, (he wasn’t allowed into the country) or a concern about violence. Those concerns have proven to be unfounded.

"The first year that we had the parade route along 17th, we did have a number of volunteers that we positioned along the parade route as safety people with cell phones and walkie talkies to keep an eye out, and the Police were aware of the potential trouble," Craig recalled. "Absolutely nothing happened. It was a relief. There has not been any issue since. Once we had a person with an anti-gay placard, and people watching the parade just surrounded that person. There was no physical contact, nothing was said verbally, but it was a demonstration to that person that he couldn’t make a statement because he was outnumbered."

Faulkner put a different spin on Fred Phelps intended visit.

"Phelps was a positive. All it did was promote us because it was news around the world. I don’t take it as the negative he tries to put a slant on, I look at it positively because a) The community would really come out and support Pride to negate him and b) The whole world will know about you. It’s advertising we could never pay for."

When most people think "Pride Week," they just think of the parade and the dance. However there is much more going on around Calgary during the week, with a number of the events not on such a big scale with a high media profile, allowing people who wish to participate at a more discrete level.

"There is a GLBT Film Festival the week before pride; a Lesbian stand up comic is here on the 12th. Both the Calgary Men’s Choir and the Calgary Women’s Choir are putting a combined concert. The bars are involved with their own events like drag shows, and Money Pennie’s is running the Lesbian show "The L Word" the full week," said Craig.

"There is an art exhibit as well for the entire month as well," Faulkner said, adding, "We don’t have all of the information from all of the groups yet. Everyone likes to do something because other than something like Christmas, which is so universal, groups don’t generally get together like this."

Pride events are a huge part of the gay community, and in cities like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver thousands flock to the city to be a part of it. Calgary’s pride is quickly becoming a tourist draw as people take in Calgary’s unique hospitality.

"It is interesting to hear folks who have attended Calgary’s celebrations say ‘This is great. It is so different from other cities; we love how intimate it is. It’s fun, fabulous and friendly.’ They love Calgary because it’s a different event," said Craig.

"Toronto and Vancouver have really hit their landmarks where we are still building," added Faulkner. "This year, we will have incredible numbers again. It is such a nice feeling to have even a few thousand people come out. Part of our advantage right now is that we are not as large as the bigger centers. There is a feeling of security and intimacy."

For the average person, Pride runs for the week and then becomes a happy memory until the following year. For the Pride Board however, it isn’t long before things are kicked into gear again. The Pride Committee has its Annual General Meeting in September. This particular Board of Directors has been together and planning since October 2003 to put together Pride 2004.

"At the start, we have a meeting once a month, but now that it is drawing close we meet every two weeks, and soon enough it will be weekly. It’s amazing the amount of time that each board member puts in," said Faulkner. "Different positions take different amounts of time, but each of them spends their own time doing things like the website, posters, sponsorship, the list goes on and on. This year we are lucky, we started out with 13 people, which is the maximum number you are allowed to have. We have never started with that many. We only lost one person, which is unusual. During the AGM people put their hands up, and within a month you lose half of them due to other commitments. This year our group wants to make such a difference, they have all stayed. Linda and I could not do this on our own; it’s such a community effort. As well a lot of the bars and businesses have gotten involved. Everyone is really excited about Pride, so this year will be something special."

Craig reflected on what 2004 means and how Pride have grown and changed.

"Every year has been a building year. That is not to say that past years haven’t been great or important, but each year it becomes easier to build upon what already exists. This year we build on the street festival and parade, but we are moving it around and shaking it up. The 17th Ave Business Revitalization Zone came to the gay community to say ‘We want the party here, don’t go around the corner.’ They want to be a part of this."

With that in mind, the Co-Chairs put the offer on the table to be a part of Pride 2005. The Co-Chair position is a two-year term with one chair stepping down each year. This September James Faulkner will step down while Linda Craig will remain on for 2005. There is ample opportunity for others to join the board and be a part of crafting next year’s festivities.

"When five people run a board as opposed to twelve, there is less promotion and ideas flowing around. With 12 people there is such a buzz that people are coming to us and calling us," said Faulkner. "Without the new ideas, we are nothing; that is what keeps us going. So contribute or join the board because that is what makes it work so well."

"We need to start planning for 2005. Anyone who is interested in being a part of this team has to let us know and step up," Craig added, before concluding. "It is an amazing feeling to stand in the middle of the pride festival with three thousand people around you and know that you were one of the team to create that event. There is no other feeling like it, and if you want to experience it contact us. We need help and ideas because we can keep growing and exploding."

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Contributor Jason Clevett |

Locale Calgary |

Topic Calgary Pride | Community |

Photo Gallery Calgary Pride |