Okanagan College, together with students from The OC Pride Community, is proud to announce it will host a community Pride celebration at Okanagan College's Kelowna campus on May 29 (5 to 8 p.m.)
Student Drag King performer Jovian
The community is invited to the all-ages free event featuring performances from OC student and alumni Drag Queens and Kings including Jovian, Misty Demeanour, Freida Whales, The Muffin Man, Mr. Shellfish and Syren Call.
"We welcome the community to join us for this event, which will serve as a safe space for students to express themselves and as an unofficial kickoff for the Pride season," said OC Pride Community member Jovian Ragan. "Being able to create a welcoming event in the post-secondary education system and an accepting space for future students to walk into is a much-needed treat for the community. It'll be exciting to see these groups, and others, celebrating together."
The kick-off celebration at OC comes as Pride events are set to begin across the region and beyond. In Kelowna, the Kelowna Pride Month is being hosted by Kelowna Pride from May 30 to June 30. The Pride Month 2025 theme is RISE AND RESIST in celebration of solidarity and community.
Along with the performances, community groups including Kelowna Pride, Okanagan Gender Identity, Free Parent Hugs and the Bridge Youth and Family Services will be on hand at Okanagan College during the event with information tables.
"Working together with our students to support a Pride kick-off event on campus is something we hope provides value to the community and contributes in a meaningful way to accessible, all-ages Pride Month celebrations," said Delacey Tedesco, OC's associate director of equity, diversity, and inclusion. "We want our campuses to be welcoming to people from the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. Partnering on this event with The OC Pride Community is a step towards affirming and celebrating solidarity and community, as this year's Pride theme calls on us to do."
The College is also working to highlight and support Pride events in other areas of the Okanagan Valley and Shuswap. OC will be at the main community Pride Festivals in Kelowna on Saturday, May 31 and in Vernon on Sunday, June 8. South Okanagan Similkameen (SOS) Pride will also be hosting their Walkin' and Rollin' Penticton Pride Parade and Block Party on Sunday, June 8. There are more regional events in the fall, including arts-based events by Salmon Arm Pride Project and SOS Pride.
The community Pride kick off celebration at Okanagan College is a free community event.
