May 29 2026

Pride season is a celebration of the people who make up 2SLGBTQIA+ communities: people who are Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and others with diverse genders and sexualities. Though celebrated at different times across Canada, June 1 kicks off the official start to the Pride season.

Pride has its roots in protest. 2SLGBTQIA+ rights were not granted but fought for and hard won by 2SLGBTQIA+ activists. Some of those rights—particularly those of transgender and gender-diverse people—are under attack today by the Smith and Moe governments. Anti-transgender sentiment is on the rise across Canada due to rampant misinformation and knowledge gaps.

Aiming to provide more factual information, the Trans Canada Tour kicks off on May 25 in Halifax. Among other tour activities, Fae Johnstone and Victoria Bucholtz—two of Canada’s leading trans activists—are hosting “Ask a Trans Person Anything.” The activists describe the initiative as“a no-holds-barred, no-questions-off-limits Q&A for all your gender questions.” Members who have questions about transgender issues, what’s being taught at school, or who can compete in women’s sports are encouraged to bring those questions to their local tour stop.

The National Union of Public and General Employees Union (NUPGE) is a proud supporter of Queer Momentum, one of three organizations powering the tour. NUPGE is also committed to continue working with its Pride Committee and opposing any government legislation that undermines 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. NUPGE also reaffirms its support for Drag Story Time events and condemns attacks against the spaces and workers hosting them.

Poet Toi Derricotte wrote that, “joy is an act of resistance.” The state of the world can feel overwhelming. Democracy is under threat in multiple countries, including our closest neighbour to the South. Canada is experiencing a cost-of-living crisis and a housing crisis. In 2025, 46% of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals found it difficult or very difficult to meet their financial needs, compared to 39% of non-2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. In addition, research also shows that racialized 2SLGBTQIA+ communities face even greater income gaps. 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are also twice as likely to experience homelessness compared to their heterosexual, cisgender counterparts, while queer women are four times as likely to experience it.

Things are bad, but there are also so many of us standing in solidarity and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and history teaches us that we can resist hate in its many forms. We must also make space for joy. At a time where harmful forces want us to be quiet, conform, and succumb to fear, claiming joy—particularly queer joy—is a radical act of resistance.

Pride will always be political at its core. But it’s also a celebration of all things 2SLGBTQIA+. This Pride season, we encourage all members to commit time to activism for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, but to also take time to experience joy.

“The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference.” — Audre Lorde