Djeneba Dosso
LJI Reporter
The Canadian and Quebec flags raised at City Hall will have to make room for a colourful addition on Friday, August 16. Starting at 10 am, a rainbow flag will be raised, marking the commencement of Pride Week in Gatineau. At 11 am, everyone will make their way to Jeunesse Idem’s temporary location in Fontaine Park at 120 Charlevoix St. for meaningful exchanges and discussions.
The City has invited various partners to deliver speeches for the occasion and is encouraging residents to come in large numbers in support of 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Friday’s flag raising will be the second activity organized by Jeunesse Idem in honour of pride. Formed in 1995, the organization aims to improve the quality of life of people in their community, while raising awareness across the region. The group caters to a large demographic, reaching 2SLGBTQIA+ people aged 7 to 35.
In honour of Pride Week, they have put together events and activities leading up to and during the Week for people to attend and, of course, celebrate their community. These events are open to friends as well as curious folks wanting to get educated or to support the community.
August 14: Cinema at Dusk
Enjoy an outdoor film screening of the critically acclaimed romantic drama Call Me By Your Name by Luca Guadagnino, featuring Timothée Chalamet, Esther Garrel, Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlbarg. Free for kids and only $5 for adults. The French screening will be held at the Old Chelsea Square starting at 8:30 pm.
August 16: Flag Raising
August 17: Family Picnic
All are welcome to come enjoy good food and good company in Central Park located at 205 de Bruxelles St. The picnic will be held from 11 am to 2 pm. Commuting by public transit is recommended.
August 18: Children’s Storytelling
Children aged 3 to 12 will be read enchanting fairytales by Montreal drag queen LaDorris from 10:30 am to 11:15 am at the Guy-Sanche Library.
August 22: Queer Night at Minotaure
Queer takeover at the Minotaure Bar from 5 pm to 9 pm. The first half of the evening will be a mixer to meet people from the community and perhaps have a few drinks. After much-needed liquid courage, karaoke is on the program starting at 7 pm with DJ Matelot Max. There will be prizes to win!
August 23: Pride Week Drag Show
A night you do not want to miss! From 5 pm to 7 pm, photobooths, drag makeup stations and circus animations will be available for all. This will be followed by a drag show from 7 pm to 10:30 pm featuring Quebec queens; LaDorris, Xtra, Érica, Zak Zinya, D Lo Vtton, Maddie Longlegs, Styla Artois and special guest Jimmy Moore.
August 24: Children’s Storytelling
Children aged 3 to 12 will be read enchanting fairytales by Montreal drag queen LaDorris from 10:30 am to 11:15 am at the Donalda-Charron Library.
August 25: Pride Parade
The annual Ottawa-Gatineau Capital Pride Parade is set to begin at 10 am at Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue in downtown Ottawa. The parade route is available online at capitalpride.ca.
In the event of rain, the flag raising ceremony will be moved to the Jeunesse Idem office in Hull located at 109 Wright St.
Photo caption
Photo #1: Pride Week has made its way to Gatineau and Ottawa. At the outset of festivities set to begin on August 17, The City of Gatineau and queer organization Jeunesse Idem have partnered to raise the 2SLGBTQIA+ flag at City Hall this Friday. (DD) Photo: Curtesy of Jeunesse Idem.