About Nelson Pride
Creating safer spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Nelson, BC
Who We Are
Nelson Pride (formerly Kootenay PRIDE) is a volunteer-led organization based in Nelson, British Columbia that organizes annual Pride celebrations and year-round community support.
Our History
Pride in the Kootenays is older than our parade. Starting in 1979, the annual Fruit Float brought hundreds of gay and lesbian folks from as far away as Vancouver, Calgary, Spokane, and Coeur d’Alene to the Slocan River for camping, games, dances, and floating downriver on inner tubes. The West Kootenay Gays and Lesbians Society, formed in 1990, knit the community together with the Gayzette newsletter and the Gayline, a phone line offering support and connection.
In March 1996, Kootenay Gay Pride formed, and on August 31 of that year Nelson hosted the first Pride parade in North America to take place outside of a major city. It took real courage: some of the 300 to 400 people who marched wore paper bags over their heads to protect their identities. They marched anyway, and the town showed up: despite some protesters, the response from the wider community was overall welcoming, with businesses across Nelson putting “Hate-Free Zone” signs in their windows.
The 1997 Pride parade. Courtesy of the Nelson Museum.
Pride quickly grew into a full weekend. 1997 brought Hooplala, Nelson’s first queer variety show, to the Capitol Theatre, alongside the LesbyDyke drop-in at the Nelson and District Women’s Centre. In 1998, after plenty of debate at City Hall, a Kootenay Gay Pride banner flew over Baker Street for the first time. In 2015, Sadie and Hopi Glockner, Kyra and Julia Burkart, Rose Shine, and Petra Hartley installed Nelson’s first rainbow crosswalk on Stanley Street.
What began as Kootenay Gay Pride became Kootenay PRIDE, connecting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across the region for many years. Pride in the Kootenays has expanded wonderfully since our beginnings, and to honour and respect the work of other Kootenay-based Pride organizations we changed our name to Nelson Pride, better reflecting the area we serve.
After pausing operations in 2020 and 2021, we resumed festivities in 2022, bringing back the vibrant celebrations our community had missed. Today our Pride Week is held yearly in late August or early September, and we work to support our community year-round.
This history is kept alive by the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, and the Kootenay Gay History Project. There is much more to explore.
Our Mission
Nelson Pride creates safer spaces to support, celebrate, and create awareness for the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities through:
- Annual Pride events and celebrations
- Regular community programming throughout the year
- Public education initiatives
- Building connections within our diverse community
Community & Inclusivity
Our events welcome those from all backgrounds and identities, creating a wonderful and eclectic crowd that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of our community. Whether you’re 2SLGBTQIA+, an ally, a family member, or simply curious, you’re welcome here.
Gathering during the 1999 Pride weekend. Courtesy of the Nelson Museum.
Becoming a Society
We are now a registered Society. Learn more about membership and our board structure on the Membership page.
Get Connected
Stay updated on our activities, events, and community news by following us on social media or signing up to volunteer.