Programs & Projects
Ongoing Pride Programs
Fernie Pride Society has several ongoing programs and undertakes new projects each year.
Rainbow Connections (formerly Beers & Queers)
These social events are designed to bring 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and allies together in relaxed environments. Great conversations start spontaneously, especially around issues or experiences specific to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Look for details on the next event on the calendar. We are always open to suggestions, too!
Past Rainbow Connections events include arcade night, Sparwood loop ice skating, board game night, pottery class, golf and frisbee golf.
Youth Program
The youth program includes youth-specific social events, support of school GSA (gay straight alliance) and SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) groups, book donations and an annual scholarship for graduating students in the Elk Valley. Find out more on the Youth information page.
Fernie Pride also has a youth board position. Please reach out if you are interested in holding this role.
Elk Valley Pride Festival
Our annual highlight, this multi-day festival is open to the whole community with a huge variety of events.
Columbia Basin Capacity Project
This multi-phase project began with the Queer Out Here conference in 2023, an event to bring together pride organizations, groups and supporting groups throughout the East Kootenays. The regional groups are now holding monthly meetings to support each other and coordinate efforts.
Pride Projects & Past Programs
2025
- Provided Safe Night Out education for local bars and restaurants
- Started work on the Kootenay Pride Guide
- Awarded 3 High School Graduation Scholarships to students from Elkford, Sparwood and Fernie
- Created a Rainbow Registered Subsidy Program for local businesses
- Provided Community Care Funds
- Subsidized counseling, massage and physiotherapy through the Queer Health Initiative
- Adopted the Fernie Pride Reconciliation Statement
- Participated in the Coal Miner Days (Sparwood) Parade, and Griz Days (Fernie) Parade, Kimberley Pride Festival and Fun Field Festival
- Online Auction Fundraiser success
- Rainbow Connections events
- …and more!
2024
- Launched the Queer Health Initiative umbrella project
- Created the Inclusive Washroom Guide
- Awarded 2 High School Graduation Scholarships
- Installed a Pride Rainbow Bench in Sparwood (located behind the curling rink)
- Provided Community Care Funds
- Hosted several Queer Health Initiative events, including a Financial Wellness session and a hair care session in partnership with local businesses
- Subsidized counseling, massage and physiotherapy
- Donated progress pride flags to all of the schools from Jaffray through to Elkford
- Hosted a local politicians information luncheon
- Safe Spaces for All Faces Campaign
- Adopted the Fernie Pride Accessibility Guideline
- Participated in the Coal Miner Days (Sparwood) Parade, Wildcat Days (Elkford) Parade, and Griz Days (Fernie) Parade, Baynes Lake Farmer’s Market, Fernie Chamber Golf Tournament and Kimberley Pride Festival
- Online Auction Fundraiser success
- Rainbow Connections events
- Multiple sold-out drag shows
- Worked with Tourism Fernie to incorporate a 2SLGBTQ+ component into the Fernie Ambassador Program
- …and more!
2023
- Hosted the Queer out Here conference in Fernie
- Participated in the Coal Miner Days (Sparwood) Parade, Wildcat Days (Elkford) Parade, and Griz Days (Fernie) Parade
- Board Goal-Setting retreat
- Online Auction Fundraiser success
- 7 Rainbow Connections events
- DEI training for City of Fernie & two public workshops at the College of the Rockies
- New website launched
- Partnered with several local organizations for events
- Initiated the Columbia Basin 2SLGBTQ+ Network which meets monthly, uniting 19 participating member organizations
- …and more!
2022
- Created the Employer Resource Guide
- Rainbow Sidewalk Painting
- Sponsored two youth to attend summer camp
- Hosted 3 Drag Storytime events
- Hosted six Elk Valley Youth Pride Events
- Strategic Plan completed and implementation began
- Elk Valley Suicide Task Force Drag-a-Thon Collaboration
- ..and more!
2021
- Drag Storytime Events with Curbside Crafts
- Rainbow Fish Public Art Project at Isabella Dicken Elementary
- Inclusive SexEd workshops
- Established Elk Valley Youth Pride
- Born This Way parent/caregiver monthly group
- Multiple Youth events
- Sponsored an athlete, Dylan Annis
- Completed EV Diversity & Inclusion Survey
- Engaged Elk Valley employers
- …and more!
2020
- Fernie Pride Festival, Covid Edition
- Zoom Socials
- Several grants acquired
- “Ears for Peers” peer-led support
2019
- Donated queer and trans books to the Fernie Heritage Library
- Hired Courtney Baker as society administrator
- Implemented RCMP Safe Place Program in Fernie
- Hosted Beers & Queers (now Rainbow Connections) at Elk Valley Social
- TransCare 101 Workshop
- United Church education session
- Pride Festival had over 1700 attendees!
- and more…!
2018
- Queers and Beers (now Rainbow Connections) social events
- Griz Days Parade Float
- 2SLGBTQ+ 101 education sessions in partnership with Fernie Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Fernie & Wapiti Music Festival
- Local artist Pruthvi Harshan painted a Fernie Pride dumpster
- Consent & Sexual Harassment workshop
- New Fernie Heritage library catalogue system labeling 2SLGBTQ+ resources
- and more…!
2017
- Society incorporation!
- Logo creation
- Resource Referral page for the website.
- Painted 6 rainbow crosswalks in Fernie
- First-ever Elk Valley Pride Festival!