This is where you
come from.
Prince Edward Island’s first Pride March took to the streets of Charlottetown in the summer of 1994. It happened because it was time, long past time. Queer voices on the Island were bursting to be heard. Our community was getting stronger, no longer willing to be the butt of jokes and on the receiving end of discrimination and violence. And so, we took to the streets to send those voices into the air, to let our presence be known, to fight for equal rights, and to announce: “We’re here! We’re Queer! Get used to it!”
Those anxious but powerful early days led to the formation of the Abegweit Rainbow Collective, known commonly as ARC, and later, Pride PEI.
Over time, as the needs of our community have grown, so too has our purpose. There continue to be struggles to overcome and battles to be waged, new challenges and needs. But we come to this knowledge fortified by the gains we’ve made, by the strength of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and by a new and ever-expanding understanding of the diversity and intersectionality within it.
This is not just the history of Pride PEI, this is YOUR history. It is where you come from as a Queer Islander. And as a member of Pride PEI, you can help us create a more equitable and just future for all of us.
Our VISION is to make Prince Edward Island a leader in celebrating and promoting the diversity of gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression.
Our MISSION is to create an inclusive community through the annual PEI Pride festival & parade, ongoing social events, education, and advocacy. We will uplift and center the voices of our most marginalized members, recognizing that social equality does not equal social equity.
Our core VALUES are: Equity, Transparency, Engagement, Diversity & Advocacy.
