It’s time to get loud and proud, Hamilton!
The Pride Hamilton 2017 committee came together after an open LGBTQ town hall in November 2016 where they asked the community what they would want to see in Pride celebrations. Interested community members joined together to produce the fantastic Pride events this month, in collaboration with local partners and sponsors.
This year’s Pride committee focused on the following core values when programming the festivities: Solidarity Building, Inclusivity, Political, Historical, and Safety.
“It’s that time of year when we come together as a community and celebrate who we are and how we love,” says Pride Hamilton Committee Chair Kate Dalton. “Our LGBTQI2+ communities have redefined the meaning of love and family in ways that better take into account the breadth of the human experience. This Hamilton Pride, let’s be present for each other, educate ourselves, express ourselves and enjoy each other’s company in recognition of the awesomeness that we bring as individuals and the revolutionary fabulousness we are as a whole.”
With so many opportunities to get your Pride on this month – and a bunch have already happened! – here are some more to get you into the spirit…
June 17 – Hamilton Pride Rally (Corktown Park, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM)
Bring your flags, banners, and noise makers and meet at Hamilton City Hall (71 Main St. W) for music, speeches, and more. March over to Corktown Park after the Rally.
June 17 – Hamilton Pride BBQ & Festival (Corktown Park, 10:30 AM-6:00PM)
Annual outdoor Pride Festival (located at the corner of Ferguson Ave. S and Forest Ave.) will feature entertainment, beverage garden, BBQ, and vendor marketplace
June 16 – Official Pride & Trans Flag Raising (City Hall, 7:00-8:00 PM)
The Hamilton LGBTQ Advisory Committee invites the community to join them as flags are raised in honour of Hamilton Pride at City Hall
June 16 – Queer Outta Hamilton: Applause (This Ain’t Hollywood, 9:00 PM)
Queer Outta Hamilton produces several Pride events – first they hosted “Hammer Pride Part 1” at The Casbah and they’re back with Part 2 on June 16th at This Ain’t Hollywood (354 James St. N). The night features live music by Nettish with Blufunk Buddha, drag performances by Troyboy Entertainment, and DJ Drop D. $10 / 19+
June 17 – Pride: After Dark (Gift Shop Gallery, 9:00 PM)
Paint the town red with a dance party at Gift Shop Gallery (21 Rebecca St.) featuring disco, house, and retro classics spun by DJ Shane C. $10 ($5 before 11:00 PM) / 19+
June 17 – WET: Pride at the Bay (Bay City Music Hall, 10:00 PM)
Head down to the Waterfront for a party presented by New Social – also the launch of this new events promoter comprised of “a group of big-hearted party animals with plans to bring unapologetic LGBTQ nightlife and social experiences to Hamilton.” Music by Marina (deep house, classic house, vocals & remixes), DJ Arts&Crafts (moombahton/trap/reggae/top 40), and Zulu Na$ty. $15 in advance, $20 at the door / 19+
June 15 – Brixton Fairies: Made Possible By Squatting Film Screening (The Tower, 7:00 PM)
A screening of this 30-minute film that presents a series of interviews with South London Gay Liberation Front members who squatted the first Gay Community centre in London along with many houses on Railton Road in 1970s. The Tower (281 Cannon St. E) is a store-front for events, socializing, organizing, and political conversations – they host several Pride events this month.
June 22 – Trish Salah & Friends Book Launch (Bryan Prince Bookseller, 7:00 PM)
Trish Salah (2014 Lambda Award Winner for Transgender Fiction), Kai Cheng Thom (2017 Lambda Award Winner for Transgender Fiction), and jia qing wilson-yang (2017 Lambda Award Winner for Transgender Fiction) launch the first Canadian edition of Lyric Sexology at Bryan Prince in Westdale Village (1060 King St. W).
June 29 – Pride Month Pub Night (Gallagher’s Bar & Lounge, 7:00 PM)
Queer Outta Hamilton presents a chill, LGBTQ+ friendly hangout. Queer Pub Night is an inclusive community event held on the last Thursday of every month at Gallagher’s (69 Augusta St.).
Keep in mind The Inlet is not responsible for the events listed – please follow the individual events and Pride Hamilton for even more events and further info.
Images in this post are taken from Pride Hamilton and from the individual events.
