After going virtual during the pandemic, Hamilton Pride is back in person!
The event will be indoors at the Hamilton Convention Centre. According to the organizers, there are two major reasons why Hamilton Pride is not planned to be an outdoor event this year: first, the virtual prides were not well-attended, and the indoor event provides a ‘bridge’ to a larger event rather than cancelling Pride due to low turnout; and secondly, the organizers state that “police are now required to be present at all outdoor events, without creating a safe and proper plan that would actually keep everyone safe, hold people accountable, and not cause emotional distress”.
Pride, at its origins, is a protest as well as a celebration. The lack of outdoor visibility (such as a parade) has engendered criticism of the event, with organizers clarifying that the indoor nature of this event “has nothing to do with “hiding” or “being in the closet” we are working with the cards we have been dealt and trying to make the best of the situations [sic]. The plan is to be back outdoors in 2023”.