While the Moose Jaw Pride organization was dissolved in 2022, a group of individuals is working to make sure Pride events happen again this year. 

Brit Adam (she/they) is an organizer with MJ Pride and psychologist who works with queer youth and adults. She said with the passing of Bill 137 - the Parental Bill of Rights - in October of last year, that it's important to have Pride events this year. 

“We just wanted to make sure that we show up in solidarity with our community. We want to show people in Moose Jaw that we are still here, we are still a community – even without the official Moose Jaw Pride organization,” explained Adam.  

According to the bill, if a child is under 16, a school has to get consent from parents for the school’s employees to use a new gender-related preferred name or gender identity for the student. The bill was passed with the invocation of the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

MJ Pride event organizers released a statement saying that Saskatchewan Party and Saskatchewan United Party MLAs and candidates are not welcome at their events due to the passing of this bill:

We are dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of all 2SLGBTQIA+ people in our community and believe that attendance of MLAs who support and pass legislation that directly harms queer people and their loved ones is not in agreeance with our values of love, acceptance, and celebration. 

Adam added that they will be welcome back to the events when they are seen to protect the rights of queer youth and adults in Saskatchewan. 

We reached out to Moose Jaw North MLA Tim McLeod for comment on MJ Pride’s statement, but did not receive comment by publication.  

Pride events coming up in Moose Jaw include the following: 

Sunday, May 26 – 10:30 a.m. St Andrew’s United Church holding a Pride Service. 

Thursday, May 30 – 6 p.m. Moose Jaw Public Library showing “Small Town Pride”. 

Friday, May 31 – 5 p.m. MJ Pride holding Social Meet and Greet and Sign Making at Family Hope Counselling and Training Centre at 170 Fairford St W. Signs are for the Pride March on June 1. 

“We’re going to meet, have a little social, play some games, make some posters, and have a good time – get to know other people in the community,” said Adam.

Saturday, June 1 – 10:30 a.m. MJ Pride will be holding a March and Picnic– people are asked to gather at the Crescent Park Bandshell, with the parade happening at 11 a.m. and picnic to follow. 

“We’re going to walk around the park on the sidewalk. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come.” 

Saturday, June 1 - 9 p.m. Afterparty at Cornerstone Pub. 

Sunday, June 2 – 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. MJ Pride is holding Wakamow Valley activities. At 2 p.m., they’re meeting at the Pirate Park play structure for canoeing/kayaking and will be holding a Coming Out Campfire in the evening. Hotdogs will be provided, but attendees are asked to bring their own (non-alcoholic) drinks.  

“The Coming Out Campfire is an event for us to all get together, swap stories, share some space, listen to everybody who wants to share.” 

Monday, June 3 – 6 p.m. Moose Jaw Public Library showing “A Fantastic Woman”. 

The Western Development Museum also has an exhibit called The 2SLGBT+ Seniors: Storytelling on the Prairies Portrait Exhibit on now until Sunday, July 14, 2024.  

In addition, Journey to Hope Moose Jaw is holding a quilt raffle in support of MJ Pride’s Pride Week events, with the draw happening on June 3. The rainbow quilt was made by Colleen Oshowy, and tickets are $5 or a booklet of 4 for $20. E-transfers can be sent to info@hopesummit.ca  

Adam encourages anyone who has not attended previous Pride events to join. “Don’t be worried or intimidated – we are a welcoming community. We would love to have more allies, more members. The more people that show up in solidarity with the community, even if you don’t identify as queer, the better.”