2019 Annual Report by Calgary Pride

ANNUAL REPORT

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

MISSION

Calgary Pride is a not-for-profit organization that exists to promote equality and celebrate Calgary’s diversity.

VISION

Our city, free from discrimination against gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

DEAR FRIENDS OF CALGARY PRIDE, This past year has been one of monumental learning and change and we could not have accomplished any of it

ANCESTRAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

without all of you. Thank you. Thank you for caring enough to say the beautiful things and the hard things; it is because of you that we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we

Calgary Pride acknowledg-

“

CALGARY PRIDE HAS GROWN 1,000 TIMES ITS PARTICIPATION IN 30 YEARS, AND 10 TIMES ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

”

are all on this journey together.

es the traditional territories of the Blackfoot and

And what a remarkable journey it is! Did you know that

Calgary Pride’s first ever financial audit. And thanks to

the people of the Treaty 7

Calgary Pride has grown 1,000 times its participation in 30

further support from the community, we hosted our first

region in Southern Al-

years, and 10 times its participation in the last five years?

big fundraiser, evolve: pride amplified, raising more than

berta, which includes the

What an astonishing demonstration of Calgary’s growing

$55,000 and supporting three other amazing organizations

Siksika, the Piikani, the

culture of welcoming and belonging, and a testament to

serving LGBTQ2S+ youth across Calgary.

Kainai, the Tsuut’ina, and

the thousands of volunteers, handful of staff, and board

the Stoney Nakoda First

members who have rowed, steered and captained this ship

Learning remains an ongoing area of focus for Calgary

for its 30 year history.

Pride and this year we invested time and resources into

Nations, including Chiniki,

VALUES

Bearspaw, and Wesley First

Pride Festival and all the

unsustainable workloads and a dwindling ability to adapt

training through CommunityWise Resource Centre

EQUALITY We create an environment where everyone enjoys the same universal rights.

work we do takes place on

as an organization, so we leaned into our next significant

(supported by Voices – Calgary’s Coalition of Two-Spirit

land adjacent to where the

evolution; we hired Calgary Pride’s second full time staff

& Racialized LGBTQIA+); and LGBTQ Tourism workshops

Bow River meets the Elbow

member and began taking steps to transition from an

offered by CMI Community Marketing & Insights, leaders in

operating board toward a governance board.

LGBTQ research since 1992.

this place is “Mohkinstsis”

After almost two years of working with our powerhouse

Within these pages, you will find many more highlights

which we now call the City

Executive Director, Parker Chapple, we knew we could

from 2019; thank you for making all of this possible, and

of Calgary. The City of Cal-

confidently empower them to create operating committees

for your continued support to make Calgary a welcoming

gary is also home to Métis

and recruit talented and dedicated community members

city for anyone along the spectrums of gender and sexual

who would step into new leadership roles for Calgary Pride.

diversity. We believe that Calgary is a city where everyone

As a result, eight new committees were created, guided

can feel a sense of belonging, and sharing that belief with

by 10 new leaders, who, along with more than 80 other

you is what makes it seem so possible!

CELEBRATION We celebrate the cultural landscape and history of our community. LEARNING We facilitate the growth of a just and inclusive society through continuous learning. RESPECT We cultivate a city that embraces diversity with respect and dignity.

governance learning as part of the Board Development

Nation. We would also like

As 2019 began, the Calgary Pride board knew that the

Program offered by Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism

to note that the Calgary

rapid growth we had been experiencing could lead to

and Status of Women; Anti-Racist Organizational Change

River, and that the traditional Blackfoot name of

Nation of Alberta, Region III. We thank these communi-

volunteers, worked tirelessly throughout 2019 to deliver

ties for their stewardship

Calgary’s largest, and most colourful Pride festival to-date!

of the land we collectively

In fact, it was such a success that we outgrew our parade

inhabit today.

Sincerely,

route entirely, and have a new route to announce for 2020.

COLLABORATION We engage the community, seeking opportunities for mutual benefit. calgarypride.ca

We also strengthened our fiscal controls in 2019, hired a

Shone Thistle

bookkeeper and just had an external accountant complete

Board President

Calgary Pride 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PROGRAMMING READING WITH ROYALTY

ALLY TOOLKIT CONFERENCE

QUEERLY FESTIVE DINNER & SHOW

In the last two years of this widly successful program, we’ve

We often hear about the challenges that professionals

Because of the tremendous success of this all-ages,

partnered with the Calgary Public Library and Calgary

face in understanding how to best support their clientele,

free-to-attend event in 2018, this year’s celebration

Queer Arts Society to make a monumentally positive

volunteers and employees as it relates to LGBTQ2S+

was moved to the main welcome gallery of our

impact on children and families alike. This glamorous,

identities. This conversation evolves at what often seems

Central Library which increased our capacity to

family-friendly storytime program, led by local drag

like a daunting speed. The Ally Toolkit Conference was a

over 200 guest spots. Our catering partner, The

performers, celebrates inclusion and diversity and sparks

three-day learning experience bringing together leading

Palomino Smoke House, prepared a sumptuous

the imagination to think beyond gender stereotypes. With

perspectives from community organizers, healthcare

buffet dinner complete with turkey, brisket, roasted

an audience to-date of almost 3,500 kiddos at over 65

professionals, and corporate leaders in order to promote a

corn, and veggie stir fry. Guests could enjoy our stage

events, this unique programming is the first and only of its

holistic model of wellness, discuss ally-ship, give people a

showcasing the musical performances of One Voice

kind in Alberta, combining the importance of literacy and

safe place to ask questions, and share tools to create more

Choir, Mason Jenkins, Damase Ellis, and the always

dynamics of gender expression to children ages 12 and

equitable communities.

glamorous mix of drag Kings, Queens and Monarchs

under.

who inspire and entertain! The response was Presented in partnership with Calgary Queer Arts

immensely warm and our teams were deeply moved

Society, we received overwhelming support for its

by the experience of connecting with the community

delivery, and are thrilled to have taken part.

over a warm holiday dinner.

EVOLVE: PRIDE AMPLIFIED Our innagural fundraising event, evolve: pride amplified was two days of magic, music and fundraising for Calgary Pride and city-wide programs that support queer youth. Day one was a free event for queer youth, including a joy filled circus celebration by Le Cirque de la Nuit coupled with the soul, hip-hop, music and storytelling genius of Too Attached. Day two was more for the adults who care about the youth, complete with a cocktail-hour meet and greet with our amazing artists, plated dinner, fundraising, and unforgettable performances. Together we raised over $55,000 - thank you to our beautiful guests and amazing PHOTO BY MICHAEL GRONDIN

sponsors! evolveprideyyc.com Calgary Pride presents... a Gala event featuring Too Attached & Le Cirque de la Nuit Supporting city-wide programs for LGBTQ2+ youth May 25, 2019 VIP Experience @ 5:30

Arts Commons General Admission @ 6:30

Tickets at artscommons.ca/whats-on

calgarypride.ca

Calgary Pride 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PRIDE WEEK

PARADE & FESTIVAL We’ve come a long way baby! From the humble beginnings of a backyard BBQ, to a few dozen marchers along 17th Avenue, to small parades in areas that would disrupt the least amount of traffic, and on to the current celebration attracting 100,000 spectators and 177 parade entries! This year we are excited to be introducing a new parade

MEMORIAL PARK PRIDE

REVERSED RACISM

Moving into its second year of kicking off Pride Week,

The show breaks the traditional Calgarian mold of a

to 4th Street SE, and moving to Olympic Way toward our

Memorial Park Pride provided accessible programming

predominantly white-centered entertainment space,

new festival venue at the Stampede grounds!

for the public to engage including workshops and

celebrating the brave and strong voices of LGBTQIA2+

speaker sessions such as “Colonialism on Canvas,”

racialized family members. All were welcome, but most

QTBIPOC and the history of Burlesque, Anti-Racist

importantly the voices of our racialized sisters, brothers

Organizational Change, and LGBTQ2S+ 101. Attendees

and siblings.

route that will run down 9th Avenue from 5th Street SW

could learn more about community organizations and their resources, try a turn on the gyroscope, or enjoy the stage performances of over 75 local LGBTQ2S+ artists.

50 SHADES OF COLOUR For all that support and love queer people of colour,

Additionally we were pleased to also provide financial

this evening celebrated the art of vogue with categories

support to the below events providing the producers to

open to everyone. “50” to honour the 50th anniversary of

offer these as free to the public.

the Stonewall riots, “Shades” because we’re shady, and “Colour” because this event puts QTBIPOC people front and centre; that’s what a ball is all about y’all. This group of programming and events proved an invaluable opportunity for members of our community to engage in Pride by igniting conversation, encouraging connectivity, and further strengthening the community ties within our city.

calgarypride.ca

Calgary Pride 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

OUR TEAM

STATS & HIGHLIGHTS PARADE ENTRIES

8,000

PARADE PARTICIPANTS

100,000 TOTAL ATTENDANCE

529

MARKETPLACE

ENTERTAINMENT

SHELL FAMILY ZONE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our marketplace was

We are proud to have presented

This is one of the most

The Pride Calgary

expanded to include

over 100 LGBTQ2S+ performers

well attended areas

Planning Committee

140 exhibitors from

during Calgary Pride Week.

of the festival that

operates as a volunteer

community groups,

This included our headliners Le

has something for

board of directors, who

businesses, food trucks

Cirque de la Nuit, Too Attached,

every kiddo and their

are directly responsible

and artisans.

Milk & Bone and Tynomi Banks.

caregivers to enjoy.

for the planning and

This included making

execution of the annual

robots, an all inclusive

Pride Parade & Festival

movement workshop, puppet making, and of

President

course our ever popular

Shone Thistle (She/Her)

Reading with Royalty. VP Tourism & Marketing

VOLUNTEERS

3,796

VOLUNTEER HOURS

117

EXHIBITORS

194 ARTISTS

FOOD TRUCKS

Bailey Ady (She/Her) ACCESSIBILITY We have been working

VP Programming

hard with Universal Access,

Jay Fajardo (He/Him)

to ensure that Calgary Pride is as accessible as

Director of Human

possible. This included

Resources

providing specialty training

Derrick German (He/Him)

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GRONDIN

177

to volunteers, arranging for transportation from the

Director of Community

parade route, and at the

Engagement

park, providing viewing

Raymond Jordan

areas at parade and

Johnson Brown (He/Him)

festival, and having ASL

Parker Chapple, Executive Director.

STAFF

COMMITTEE LEADERS

interpreters for all of our

Director at Large

Executive Director

Accessibility

Community Engagement

stages.

Arif Hirani (He/Him)

Parker Chapple

Aaron Baranac (He/Him)

Jeremy Chapdelaine

(They/Them)

Rachel Peters (She/Her)

(He/Him)

Logistics Manager

Arts & Culture

Site Operations

Maddie Papson

Lysh Piekarski (He/Him)

Mo Rose (They/Them)

Subi Subramani

Marketing & Social Media

Volunteer Engagement

(She/Her)

Sam Brown (They/Them)

Robyn Craig (She/Her)

Parade Logistics

Youth Engagement

Justin Zalewski (He/Him)

Ranee Drader (She/Her)

Director at Large Dallas Henault (He/Him) Director at Large

calgarypride.ca

Calgary Pride 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

(She/Her)

PARTNER PROJECTS

PERMANENT CROSSWALKS

In addition to our core programming, we are honoured to work with numerous community partners in supporting initiatives throughout the year.

Calgary Pride was thrilled TREATY 7 DYKE &

that on Sunday, July 21,

TRANS MARCH

Calgary unveiled its very

The Treaty 7 Dyke and Trans March is a group dedicated

own rainbow and trans

to community building for queer and LGBTQAI2S+ people,

flag crosswalks on one

central to Calgary. With overarching goals of ongoing

of its busiest pedestrian

accountability, affirmation, and accessibility, we strive to

and tourist roadways,

provide platforms for internally marginalized members

immediately east and

of the community. In addition to the annual march that

west of Centre Street on

Calgary Pride was proud to offer financial support too,

Stephen Avenue. We were

they host events, engage in community outreach, and

honoured to help bring

provide resources and education throughout the year.

together community voices and city administration,

TRANS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

immense to our friends

Community members from Calgary and surrounding areas

at Zoom Painting for their

were invited to join this free event of remembering those

commitment to ten years of

who have gone ahead of us. The central part of this event

painting and maintenance

is reading aloud the names of those who have died this

on the crosswalks.

PHOTO BY MEL SUTJIADI

PHOTO BY SAM BROWN

and our gratitude is

past year because of their trans identity. Understanding the importance of recognizing the impacts of transphobia and violence in our community, Calgary Pride was honoured to provide financial support to this community driven event. THORGY THOR

FAST LOVE

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra proudly presented

2019 was also the year for Calgary to experience the

OUTLIERS: QUEER HISTORY IN CALGARY

OTAHPIAAKI

the fabulous Thorgy Thor, famed worldwide from

world’s most prestigious and professionally produced

Calgary Pride was pleased to partner with Calgary

Otahpiaaki is a social innovation

the hit show RuPaul’s Drag Race, in a thoughtful and

show paying tribute to the life and work of George

Queer Arts Society, the Big Kitty Crew, and the

project based at Mount Royal

hilariously theatrical show. With her outrageous

Michael at Arts Commons. Direct from London’s West

Lougheed House,to present this exhibit and

University that platforms

fashion sense, razor-sharp wit, and virtuoso chops

End, this tribute show featured all the hits from Wham!

event series. Attendees were invited to explore

Indigenous designers, performers,

on violin, viola, and cello, Thorgy is the reigning

and his solo career, including Careless Whisper, Faith,

notions of gender expression and identity with

and artists. Each year, Otahpiaaki hosts Indigenous

“queen of classical music!” Thorgy enthralled and

Father Figure and many more. In addition, this show

an emphasis on challenging the ideals of both the

Beauty, Fashion and Design Week, featuring some

inspireed with song, dance, and hilarious symphonic

became the launching pad for a partnership initiative

recent and historic past, while also learning more

of Canada’s most inspiring Indigenous artists and

shenanigans.

with Arts Commons, RBC and Calgary Pride providing

about LGBTQ2S+ history within Calgary.

designers. Committee Leaders and members of Calgary

LGBTQ 101 learning opportunities for friends and

Pride were able to attend this event, in recognition of our

partners of all three organizations and open to the

organization sponsorship of this remarkable initiative.

public free of charge!

calgarypride.ca

Calgary Pride 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIALS

BETWEEN JULY 1ST TO SEPT 1ST

MEDIA REACH

505M

TOTAL REACH IN TRADITIONAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK

1.3M

facebook

IMPRESSIONS

6.7K REACTIONS

1.3K SHARES

GRANTS

619

twitter

IMPRESSIONS

12K

LINK CLICKS

435

11.3K

268

6.1K

RETWEETS

SPONSORSHIP

28% 33%

COMMENTS

Revenue $ 779,826

TWITTER

303.7K

FUNDRAISING & MEMBERSHIP

1.5K LIKES

30%

FESTIVAL

INSTAGRAM

instagram

LIKES

COMMENTS

PROGRAMMING & OUTREACH

FOLLOWERS

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GRONDIN

OFFICE & INSURANCE

Calgary 10 Pride 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

calgarypride.ca

SALARIES & PROFESSIONAL FEES

10%

14% 59% 17%

Expenses $ 764,947 FESTIVAL & PARADE

PARTNERS

ACCESSIBILITY PARTNERS

PRESENTING PARTNER GOLD PARTNERS PUBLIC SUPPORT

OFFICIAL HOTEL

VENUE SUPPORT PARTNER

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

HOTEL PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

DIAMOND PARTNERS

PLATINUM PARTNERS BRONZE PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS ®

SOFTWARE PARTNERS

OFFICIAL BEVERAGE PARTNERS

calgarypride.ca

Calgary Pride 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

calgarypride.ca