Diversity
Pride
Pride
cHOSEN fAMILY
Saint John Pride 2024
Saint John Pride 2024
Unapologetically Proud.
Inclusion
Pride
August 9 - 18, 2024
August 9 - 18, 2024
Queer Joy
Pride
Pride
aFFIRMING
Pride
lOVE
2024 Sponsors
Event Sponsors
Irving Oil
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Rainbow Sponsors
KV Jump
Media Partners
IN Magazine is our national 2SLGBTQI+ media partner.
Saint John Pride 2024 Events Calendar
Saint John Pride 2024 Events Calendar
Aug 7
Aug 7
Starts - 7:30pm
F*cking Trans Women is a ground breaking one-woman show that challenges societal taboos and explores the intersection of desire,sexuality, and identity. .
Aug 8
Aug 8
Starts - 7:00pm
BIPOC+ Queer New Brunswick Perspectives
We hope that you’ll join QHINB and @blacklantic for this year’s 5th annual intergenerational panel: BIPOC+ Queer New Brunswick Perspectives!
The panel will be hosted by Hilary LeBlanc, co-founder of Blacklantic, with panelists Todd Ross, Normand Hector, and Victor Escobedo. It will take place on August 8th at the Haven Music Hall in Saint John, NB, as a part of Saint John Pride. Panel begins at 7PM. Event is free and open to all ages.
Starts - 7:30pm
F*cking Trans Women is a ground breaking one-woman show that challenges societal taboos and explores the intersection of desire,sexuality, and identity. .
Aug 9
Aug 9
12:15pm - 1:00pm
Join us at City Hall as we hoist the Pride flag to kick off Saint John Pride 2024. All ages event.
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Long-time pride supporter Java Moose is back in action with a Coffee Social & Cake Cutting that will follow our flag raising. We'll be turning on some sweet tunes, serving you up a hot cup of coffee/tea or hot chocolate and then handing out slices of our delectable pride cake.
All ages event.
F*king Trans Women at BMO Theatre
Starts - 7:30pm
F*cking Trans Women is a ground breaking one-woman show that challenges societal taboos and explores the intersection of desire,sexuality, and identity.
Banner of the first pride parade in Saint John - Saint John Pride 2003 - Photo: Bruce Shapka
Aug 10
Aug 10
Pride Yoga with Jackie in Queen’s Square
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Come join us as the fabulous Jackie guides us towards meditative bliss with our free Outdoor Pride Yoga session. All Ages Event
QT Fatties Panel & Clothing Swap at Haven Music Hall
1:30pm - 3:30pm
QT Fatties is a grassroots collective by and for 2SLGBTQ+ fat folks in New Brunswick .
We will be joined by Aaron who will speak about the organization, it's goals and how you can follow/get involved. Then we'll have an all sizes (XS-6X) clothing Swap! All Ages Event
Fierce & Fabulous Drag Bingo - $15.00
Doors: 7pm - Show: 8pm - 10pm
Fierce and Fabulous Drag Bingo is back at the Trade and Convention Centre. Queen Equi Knox, along with an amazing cast of local entertainers will be dancing the haus down in between games. The Legendary Elle Noir from Halifax, Diamond Crowned Queen and Activist will headline this event with a performance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Aug 11
Aug 11
Poets, Musicians, Singers and anyone with a song in their heart is invited to Java Moose KV for a Queer Coffee House and Open Mic. Java Moose will do what they're best at and serve up delicious drinks and we'll do what we're best at by featuring any and all who want to sign up to present their beautiful art in front of their queer peers! All Ages Event
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Saint John Pride is proud to present the very first Rainbow Family BBQ in Rainbow Park on August 11, 2024.We're bringing the whole Rainbow Family together in Rainbow Park for an epic party for the whole (chosen) Family.
With our sponsor Drew and Jen's No Frills and the Saint John Y's Service Club, we'll be BBQing up some delicious hot dogs and veg dogs (with Gluten Free and Vegan Options) Culligan will be bringing us lots of water so you can stay hydrated, you beautiful dehydrated babes!!
But what is the best part of this EPIC celebration? It's TOTALLY 100% Free. Bring your kids, your adopted kids and your chosen family and come celebrate Pride Week!
All Ages Event
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Sunday is a great day to exercise your body with a swim or even relax your bones in a hot tub.
Saint John Pride has rented out the Canada Games Aquatic Centre for a 2 hour All Ages Swim.
This is a free event, but does have an admission cap. Please register to confirm your participation. All Ages Event
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Poets, Musicians, Singers and anyone with a song in their heart is invited to Java Moose KV for a Queer Coffee House and Open Mic. Java Moose will do what they're best at and serve up delicious drinks and we'll do what we're best at by featuring any and all who want to sign up to present their beautiful art in front of their queer peers! All Ages Event
Drag Queens & King - Saint John Pride 2003 - Photo: Bruce Shapka
Aug 12
Aug 12
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Monday night is a great night to watch movies with friends and chosen family!
Join us at Haven Music Hall for a double helping of classic films. We're keeping it light with Mrs.Doubfire (PG) and The Birdcage (R - Language, Drag) We'll have free popcorn on hand, a huge projector going and lots of fellowship. This event is Pay what you can! $0.00, $1.00 or even a generous $5.00, we don't care as long as you join us!We have 75 seats, so sign up in advance is recommended.
Aug 13
Aug 13
7:00pm -10:00pm
Come one and all to get your Gayme on at Heroes Beacon!
Come alone and make friends while learning a new board game or bring a crowd and pull out your favourite deck of magic cards.We will bring the snacks and our sponsor Heroes Beacon has provided an awesome venue and games for us to use. Gaming is from 7-10pm. Event is free.
Irl Washburn - Saint John Pride 2003 - Photo : Bruce Shapka
Aug 14
Aug 14
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Beaverbrook House - 127 Carleton Street Saint John, NB
Join UNB Chancellor Wade MacLauchlan (LLB'81) and special guests for a Summer Beach Chair Chat and Social. With the launch of UNB’s new 2SLGBTQIA+ Alumni Network, we want to take this opportunity to bring our local New Brunswick alumni together as part of the events organized for Pride Saint John.
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Are you a documentary lover? Maybe you just want to learn some history about something you have never learned about before. Whatever your reason for joining us, head to Haven Music Hall for a double dose of documentary deliciousness with Disclosure and Circus of Books
Aug 15
Aug 15
8:30pm - 10:30pm
Saint John has SO MUCH talent out there, you could even say it's a Kaleidoscope!
We've gathered together an amazing collection of Artists from all over Saint John and the surrounding area and we're going to show them off to you in a revival of one of the cornerstone Saint John Pride Events, our very own variety show at the BMO Theatre! We have an eclectic collection of entertainment including Comedians, Musicians, Singers and even a little burlesque to close out the evening.
Doors 8:00pm
Show: 8:30pm
Presented by the Imperial Theatre, Haven Music Hall is pleased to present a screening of the revolutionary DIY parody film THE PEOPLE’S JOKER!
This revolutionary DIY parody film and hilarious reimagining of the classic autobiographical coming-of-age story follows an unconfident, closeted trans girl as she moves to Gotham City to make it big as a comedian by joining the cast of UCB Live - a government-sanctioned late night sketch show in a world where comedy has been outlawed. As mainstream success eludes our heroine, leading her to unite with a ragtag team of rejects, misfits, and a certain love interest named Mister J, “Joker the Harlequin” is born again as a confident (and psychotic) joker on a collision course with the city’s fascist caped crusader. Vats of feminizing chemicals, sexy cartoon interludes, scarecrow psychiatrists, CGI Lorne Michaels, and psychedelic gender dysphoria all play supporting roles. Helmed by writer/director/editor/star Vera Drew and using her own life experiences as a basis for the film, THE PEOPLE’S JOKER is a deeply personal journey that’s as much documentary as it is parody.
This screening is a COSTUME PARTY!! Dress up as your favourite/least favourite Gotham character' to win a prize!
Aug 16
Aug 16
THIRD SHIFT 2024: PSYCHE Art Works After Dark
7:00pm - 12:00am
THIRD SHIFT is a festival of public contemporary artworks presented by Third Space, a not-for-profit artist-run centre in Menahqesk/Saint John, New Brunswick, that includes temporary installations, performances, screenings, artist talks, workshops, and more!
Uptown Saint John
Leather Community - Saint John Pride 2003 - Photo: Bruce Shapka
Aug 17
Aug 17
2:00pm - 2:45pm
Join us for the 21st annual Saint John Pride Parade! We have a new route, for one year only! This year we’ll be marching from Smythe St to Water St. and ending at the AREA 506 Container Village for our After Party. Make sure you line up early, this is one parade you won’t want to miss!
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Come join us after the 21st Annual Saint John Pride Parade for a FREE after party of epic proportions!
Opening at 2:00pm AS the parade starts, take a few minutes to parooze our Craft Vendors or the Waterfront Container Village Vendors for all your cool pride finds. Then step outside and cheer as we march from Smythe Street to the AREA 506 Village and boy will we bring the party with us! We'll have a full afternoon of entertainment from 2:30pm - 5:00pm which is completely free and family friendly.
Aug 17
Aug 17
Prismatique Pride Party feat. Lemon - $25-$65
7:00pm -11:00pm
We know that Saint John comes in every shade of the Rainbow, but are you Prismatique?
Come celebrate with us on the biggest night of Saint John Pride at the Area 506 Waterfront Container Village. With a stacked cast of drag entertainers and our headliner Lemon of Canada's Drag Race will be giving you a heaping helping of Drag. Then for dessert we've got 2 HOT DJ's and a cool scoop of your favourite Queer Anthems.Make sure you dress to impress and light up the night with a glow in the dark fit that will impress our drag judges. We might just give you a prize!
Meet and Greet 5:30 - 6:30pm
Door Open to GA: 6:00pm
Show starts 7:00pm
Dance Starts 9:00pm
Our show features:
2 Hour Drag Show with our Headliner Lemon from Drag Race Canada and UK vs. The World and MORE! Hosted by Halifax Legend Rouge Fatale & The father of NB Drag Justin Toodeep featuring Queens & Kings from all over New Brunswick. (Optional Meet & Greet with Limited Tickets).
Aug 18
Aug 18
1:00pm - 3:00pm
We love feeding people so come join us for a Pancake Drag Brunch! We will have pancakes, coffee/tea/juice. (with Gluten Free and Vegan Options). Don't like drag, that's ok, show up for brunch only and we'll give it to you a stack to go! With performances from our stunningly lovely locals,
Dia Monde, Moe Mustache, Justin 2D, Dahlia Dior, Penny Codiac and special guest Kessa Lulle from Moncton! Our dress code is coolness and comfort wear your PJs, your favourite kaftan or your Sunday glam. Join the Saint John Pride Board as we say bye bye to Saint John Pride 2024 with a sweet stack of pancakes.
Kings Region Schedule
Aug 11
2pm - 4pm
Join us as we kick off PRIDE WEEK in Kings County with a family activity (for your family and chosen family alike). This is a safe gathering for 2SLGBTQIA+ Community members, their families, and allies to celebrate and bring visibility to Pride Week in Kings County.
Location: O'Connell Park near the splash pad
Open to everyone!
Aug 12
7pm-9pm
Calling all: Musicians, Poets, Singers, Movers, Shakers, & Enthusiasts!! Join us August 12th at 12 Maple Avenue in the Ax Arts and Culture Gallery for Sussex's very first Queer Open Mic Night!! All 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Members and Allies are encouraged to come out and share your skills with us, in a safe and inclusive environment. This venue has gender neutral washrooms. This is an all ages event, open to the public.
Aug 13
7pm-9pm
As part of our lineup for the Kings Region, Sussex Ale Works is teaming up with local Drag Queen Goldie (that's right folks, she's coming back!), to host this unforgettable night of Trivia Bingo, complete with performances by the one and only Goldie!
DON'T DILLY DALLY
Grab your seat EARLY because spaces are limited to 40; on the Ale Works Patio! The games will begin at 7:00 pm.
Don't forget to bring a dauber (or random tube of lipstick from your purse) so you can fill in your sheets without missing a beat!
Parade Information
The 21st Annual Saint John Pride Parade will commence at 2:00pm from Union Street to the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village.
Line up early for a good seat and celebrate with the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community of Saint John.
Pride 101
Whether it’s your first Pride or your thirtieth, whether you’re a 2SLGBTQI person or an ally: The right preparations are essential to make Pride as safe for yourself and others as possible. We’ve collected some tips to help you make the best decisions possible for yourself and your group.
Stay Hydrated & Bring Snacks
Before any big excursion, providing your body with nutrients and hydration is key! That’s why you should drink plenty of water and eat a meal before hitting a Pride gathering. Pack non-alcoholic liquids and snacks, too. While many events will have water and vendors selling food, you should always bring an emergency stash just in case. If anything, sharing your supply with people who didn’t plan ahead could make you some new queer pals.
Practice Drug Safety & Harm Reduction
If you plan on using recreational drugs, you’ll need to do more to prepare than bringing snacks and water. Crucially, if you’re going to take drugs experts highly recommend testing them before you consume, especially if they come from an unknown source. Unfortunately, overdoses do happen in nightlife spaces, including queer ones. Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse the effects of an active opioid overdose. Carrying it, especially when you go out to Pride nightlife events, can prevent someone from having an overdose.
Understand Active Shooter Danger and Safety Tips
Violence is something you never want to anticipate, especially in a safe space intended for people to live their truth. Unfortunately, given the nature of anti-trans violence, queerphobia, and the prevalence of active shootings in the U.S., it’s imperative to stay alert and take measures to protect yourself. Before going to an event in an enclosed space, note your surroundings: where are the exits, windows, and fire escape routes? Are there any places to take cover, like hard ceramic countertops and tables or walls to duck behind? In general, experts recommend following a “run, hide, fight” protocol, in that order of priority.
Pride Safety
Plan how you’re going to arrive and leave.
If the event is in an area that is unfamiliar to you, consider visiting beforehand or taking some time to look at a map to get oriented.
Monitor the event organizers’ social media before and during the event.
They may need to communicate cancellations, last-minute changes, or safety updates.
Consider how visible you would like to be as a part of the event.
• People use clothes, makeup, and accessories at Pride for fun, to signal their membership in particular subcultures, to make political statements, and for plenty of other reasons. Dressing up is an important part of Pride.
• It’s your decision how you want to dress for Pride. Some people prefer to wear clothes that don’t express that they’re attendees of a Pride event because it makes them feel safer.
• No matter what you choose, make sure to consider how comfortable you are with being perceived as part of a 2SLGBTQI community event. Remember that it’s likely that people around you will be taking pictures that could be posted online.
Pack light, but pack right.
• Avoid carrying a large bag if possible, as event security guards may search bags as part of the event safety protocols.
• Bring your phone, charger, and battery pack. Consider changing the screensaver on your phone to a message of who to call (emergency contact) if something was to happen or if you were to lose your belongings. Write down phone numbers of friends or family on a piece of paper in case your cell phone dies.
• Bring water and a snack, government issued ID, and a mask.
• Some people like to bring glitter, stickers, or other fun items!
Go with a friend or group. there is strength in numbers.
• It can be difficult to meet up with groups at large events. Consider meeting ahead of time or outside of the event space. If you plan to meet up inside the event space, designate a specific time and location (For example, meet at a café instead of an intersection).
• Designate a meeting spot to go to if someone gets separated from your group.
Familiarize yourself with safety protocols at the event.
In particular, you may want to know:
• What the event organizers’ process is for dealing with incidents of hate
• Whether there will be police or security present
• Where the emergency services, safety zones and exits are located
Pride Safety from Egale Canada’s Pride Safety Toolkit for Attendees
Know Your Rights
You have rights and obligations when interacting with police and with surrounding places of business. These rights are enshrined in law. Knowing your rights can help inform your interactions with other people, but there is never a guarantee that those rights will be respected in practice. Members of over-policed communities, including Black, Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQI people, often face negative attention by police or other actors without having done anything wrong. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is part of the federal constitution, lays out restrictions on government power, including police power. Your right to assemble and protest peacefully in public is a Charter right. So are the rights to be free from the police unreasonably searching you or seizing your belongings and to be free from arbitrary detention and imprisonment.
In practice, your Charter rights mean that:
✅ You can’t be prevented from attending a peaceful protest like Pride.
✅ If the police approach you to ask you questions, you have the right to refuse to answer, even if you’ve been detained or arrested. You have the right to walk away unless you’re being detained or arrested, in which case you have the right to know why (Black Legal Action Centre).
✅ You must provide your name and date of birth if the police ask you (Steps
to Justice).
✅ The police can only search you if you’ve given permission, if they have a search warrant, or if you’re being arrested. If you’re being detained, they can only pat you down to check for weapons.
✅ You have the right to specify the gender of the officer to conduct the *search.
Protesting is a legal right, but police can still arrest protesters. Sometimes, people who are simply taking part in the protest but not doing anything illegal themselves can still end up facing criminal charges - especially members of over-policed communities. Some common charges at protests are:
⚠ Assault (often in the case of clashes between protesters and counter protesters, or between protesters and police);
⚠ Mischief, including interfering with someone’s use of property;
⚠ Rioting, causing a disturbance, and unlawful assembly (very unlikely at Prides) (Black Legal Action Centre).
In addition:
Human rights legislation in Canada, including the Canadian Human Rights Act as well as provincial and territorial human rights codes, means that businesses near Pride events (like all businesses) can’t refuse to serve Pride attendees.
Sponsorship
We are seeking sponsors for Saint John Pride Festival Week (9 August to 18 August 2024)
which promises to be a spectacular celebration of love, acceptance, and diversity.
Our overall funding goal to make this event a reality is $50,000. Your generous sponsorship
would play a crucial role in making this event an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Benefits of sponsorship for our Saint John Pride, includes:
- Impactful Visibility: As a sponsor, your brand will receive prominent visibility depending
on the sponsorship tier you select, helping you reach a diverse audience of community
members, allies, and supporters. This is a remarkable chance to align your brand with a
positive, inclusive message that resonates with our community (More info on
sponsorship tiers can be found in the attached).
- Community Engagement: By sponsoring this event, you will actively contribute to
fostering unity, understanding, and acceptance within our city.
Presenting
$10,000
- Featured as Presenting sponsor for all main events
- A thank you video from the Saint John Pride Board for your social Media
- Promoted as presenting sponsor on website, socials and printed materials
- full page advertisement in “Pride Guide”
- Large Logo featured on banner
- Speaking opportunity at all main events
- 12 tickets to all ticketed events
- waive of donation for parade participation
Event
$5000
- Featured as Main event Sponsor for specific event, chosen by you
- Promoted as Event sponsor on website, socials and printed materials
- Half page advertisement in “Pride Guide”
- Large Logo featured on banner
- Speaking opportunity at your sponsored events
- 6 tickets to all ticketed events
- waive of donation for parade participation
Gold
$3000
- Featured Sponsor for specific event, chosen by you.
- Promoted as Gold sponsor on website, socials and printed materials
- quarter page advertisement in “Pride Guide”
- Medium Logo featured on banner
- 4 tickets to all ticketed events
- waive of donation for parade participation
Silver
$1000
- Promoted as Silver sponsor on website, socials and printed materials
- quarter page advertisement in “Pride Guide”
- Small Logo featured on banner
- 2 tickets to all ticketed events
- waive of donation for parade participation
Rainbow
$250 or Prize
- Promoted as a Rainbow sponsor on the Pride SJ website
- Thank you acknowledgement in our “Pride Saint John Guide”
- Acknowledgement of your business when announcing prize winner or at event(s)
- Waive of donation for Saint John Pride Parade participation
To Sponsor Saint John Pride e-mail: contact@sjpride.ca
The Board
Alex Saunders (they/them)
President
Eric Savoie
(he/him)
Vice-President
V ivian Myers-Jones (she/her)
Secretary
Matt Mitton (he/him)
Treasurer
Yuhaunna Wright (she/her)
Member at Large
HistorY
Saint John Pride 2003 - Photo: Bruce Shapka
Leather Community - Saint John Pride 2003 - Photo: Bruce Shapka
Irl Washburn - Saint John Pride 2003 - Photo : Bruce Shapka
Banner of the first pride parade in Saint John - Saint John Pride 2003 - Photo: Bruce Shapka
connect with us on social media
Instagram
Facebook
contact@sjpride.ca
Unapologetically Proud.
Pride 2023 Photos by Betsy of Umbrella Haus