Capital Pride controversy: More organizations drop out of parade

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On Aug. 6, Capital Pride ignited a firestorm when its board released a pro-Palestinian statement including pledging to recognize the “ongoing genocide” in Gaza and to integrate a boycott list into its sponsorship reviews. 

Capital Pride’s statement has sparked a debate about inclusion. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, City of Ottawa staff, and two hospitals have all since said they would not be participating in events organized by Capital Pride, including the Pride parade, while others applauded Capital Pride.

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Here’s what they said:

Capital Pride in a statement, Aug. 6: 

Part of the growing Islamophobic sentiment we are witnessing is fuelled by the pink-washing of the war in Gaza and racist notions that all Palestinians are homophobic and transphobic. By portraying itself as a protector of the rights of queer and trans people in the Middle East, Israel seeks to draw attention away from its abhorrent human rights abuses against Palestinians. We refuse to be complicit in this violence. Indeed, to withhold our solidarity from Palestinians in the name of upholding 2SLGBTQIA+ rights betrays the promise of liberation that guides our work. We join our voice to the calls for greater protection of civilians and reject any attempts to use a devastating conflict as a pretext to advance hate.

Adam Silver, CEO, Jewish Federation of Ottawa, in a statement, Aug. 14: 

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa, along with representatives for our partner organizations, met with Capital Pride co-chairs earlier this week to address their recent antisemitic statement. While our initial meeting was positive, Capital Pride’s board has decided they are unwilling to reconsider or act on their position and make this year’s Pride events safe and inclusive for all. Given Capital Pride’s refusal to adjust its stance, and the significant harm this position poses to the safety of the Jewish community, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and our community partners have made the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from this year’s Pride Parade. This choice was not made lightly, but we cannot in good conscience support an event that marginalizes Jewish 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and the broader Jewish community. This choice also does not align with Capital Pride’s advertised mission: respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

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Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden in a statement, Aug. 14:

This is the Vietnam War moment of our generation, and it will end, like the Vietnam War, with people organizing for justice … Amid fears of a larger regional war in the Middle East, Capital Pride has issued a call for action. They offer concrete steps to push for cultural awareness and a peaceful resolution to an unfolding human rights disaster. I salute them for doing so. Pride is political and human rights are global. Capital Pride is attempting to humanize this moment and to urge a political solution so Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace. The violence must end and we can play a role. That is a unifying message where silence divides us.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in a statement posted on X, Aug. 15: 

I’m disappointed that despite conversations with the Jewish community, the board of Capital Pride has chosen to stand behind its original statement that has caused significant hurt and distress for many members of the Jewish community. This decision by the board, days before the start of Pride, has unfortunately created an atmosphere where many now do not feel welcome to participate. Pride has always been and should continue to be a celebration of diversity and inclusion where no one feels excluded for who they are … I will be attending Pride activities in the days ahead, but, unless there is a change in approach, I will not be participating in events organized by Capital Pride this year.

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Ottawa city manager Wendy Stephanson, in a memo to council, Aug. 22: 

Following the Aug. 6 statement issued by the Capital Pride Board, which took a position on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, some city staff and members of the community have expressed that they now feel excluded, unwelcome or unsafe to participate in this year’s parade. It has also prompted several organizations in Ottawa to withdraw their participation from the parade. The situation has become polarizing and unfortunately sparked divisiveness in our community.

The senior leadership team has taken this feedback seriously, and after careful consideration, I, as city manager, have made the difficult decision to not have city staff
participate as an official contingent in this year’s parade. As public servants we have a duty of impartiality, and it is our shared responsibility to prevent the perception that the city administration is taking a political position. Withdrawing from the parade ensures that we uphold our commitment to impartial public service, while maintaining our deep-rooted values of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

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Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster in a statement on Instagram:

I am deeply sad to hear that the Jewish Federation of Ottawa has chosen to pull out of Pride. As a queer Jew, I know how important it is for queer and trans people to feel affirmed by both their faith/cultural communities and by the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Having to choose between where you come from and who you are is extremely painful

I also want to reiterate that Pride is — and has always been political. I was not surprised to see Capital Pride release a statement in support of the Palestinian people, who have been enduring a brutal war and the deaths of more than 40,000 civilians. Many of my Jewish loved ones are on the front lines of the movement supporting a ceasefire, seeking peace and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Alex Munter, CHEO’s CEO, in a memo to staff saying there will not be an official CHEO contingent at the Pride parade:

No one should feel excluded, shamed, or unsafe because of who they are, what they believe, or to which community they belong … On a personal note, I feel sad about this turn of events. I have participated in every Ottawa Pride parade for over 30 years and I have been its grand marshal three times. My family and I will miss attending. Hopefully, next year, the event will once again unite our community and celebrate our common humanity.

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The Ottawa Hospital in a statement, Aug. 17:

Inclusivity and supporting all communities we serve is very important to us as a hospital, as is the safety of any TOH staff/physician, and patient. We feel it would not be responsible for us to send staff, physicians, their family and friends, as well as patients to this event.

Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth, family physician and OCDSB trustee, Aug. 19: 

Systemic antisemitism is a concern in every facet of our lives. As a physician and trustee, I have dealt with vile antisemitism and repeated antisemitic death threats since I stepped onto a public stage in 2021 with my COVID-19 public health advocacy and was elected to office in 2022. I held a difficult conversation with the director of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board this week. Walking in the parade is not safe for me and it is not safe for most of the Jewish community in Ottawa, I explained. If it is not safe for anyone to attend Ottawa’s Pride parade this year, it is an event that should not proceed. At the very least, it should not be supported by a board of education that is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

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The Liberal Party of Canada in a statement, Aug. 19:

In light of recent decisions made by the Capital Pride board, the Liberal Party has decided not to participate in Capital Pride events this year, and instead will host our own event to celebrate Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities. The Liberal Party has a proud history of standing up for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and we will continue to be unwavering in our fight to build a more equal and inclusive Canada for everyone.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, Aug. 19:

PSAC will still be participating in Pride events in Ottawa this weekend.

(PSAC had previously extended an invitation to members to join the PSAC float for Capital Pride and to sign up to march in the parade and help decorate the float.)

Public Service Pride Network in a statement, Aug. 19:

Having heard a lot of thoughts and concerns about this year’s Capital Pride, the Public Service Pride Network (PSPN) wants to focus on inclusive, safe, and people-centred events that celebrate our pride in our 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Given this, we will not be marching in the Capital Pride parade on August 25. Instead, we will be celebrating through our own PSPN-led programming. We invite you to organize smaller march events with your teams, bringing the spirit of pride to communities across the country and at missions abroad during Public Service Pride Week from Aug, 19 to 23.

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Ottawa Trans March in a statement, Aug. 19:

The Queer and Trans community is not a monolith, no community is. We do not all see the world the same way. But some outside our community seem to accept us only when we conform to their worldview, only when our actions meet with their approval. When we’re respectable, well-behaved gay people, they love us. But when we disagree, they turn on us. When the leaders of a community or community organization make a decision you disagree with, and you choose to withdraw your support from that community, you have shown yourself not to be an ally to that cause. Being supportive of the Queer and  Trans community is politically beneficial in the modern era, unlike all the decades that came before. Political leaders, executives, people of all stripes say they support the Queer and Trans community because it costs them nothing. It is paternalistic to say you support that community, organization, or festival only when it makes decisions you agree with.

The University of Ottawa in a statement, Aug. 19:

In light of recent statements made by Capital Pride, the University has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2024 Capital Pride Parade. The statements do not align with the University’s broader mission and values. This decision does not change our enthusiasm and commitment toward celebrating Pride and supporting the LGBTQ2S+ community on our campuses and throughout our region.

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Capital Pride on Facebook, Aug. 19:

As an organization, we remain committed to fostering dialogue on difficult but important issues that impact queer and trans people in the region. All measures are being taken to ensure a safe Pride for all participants. We hope that you will join us as we begin our celebrations and look forward to welcoming you to this year’s festival.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board in a statement, Aug. 19:

We have been involved in Capital Pride for multiple years, including leading the parade on a number of occasions. Through this participation, it has always been our intention to demonstrate that all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community deserve to feel welcome at the OCDSB. Ahead of this year’s Capital Pride, organizers of the parade issued a statement concerning events in the Middle East. In response to this statement, some members of the community have expressed feeling unsafe and unwelcome. For an event seeking to promote equity and inclusion, the impact of this decision sadly runs counter to what we have always embraced about Pride. As a result, we have come to the difficult decision that the District will not participate in the parade this year. At the OCDSB, we are proud to welcome and celebrate students, parents/caregivers and staff who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Ensuring our schools and workplaces allow everyone to feel a sense of belonging is core to our mandate as a public educational institution. This support and commitment will not change.

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The Ontario Liberal Party, Aug. 20:

As Ottawa celebrates Pride this weekend, the Ontario Liberal Party is committed to celebrating and honouring the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ residents of our nation’s capital. The statement released last week by Capital Pride, however, does not live up to the spirit of inclusion of the event or that our party believes in. That’s why, after conversations with members of our party, and members of our caucus, and our leader, the Ontario Liberal Party has made the difficult decision not to join the Ottawa Pride Parade this weekend. Our caucus members will celebrate Pride in their local communities this weekend.

Loblaw, Aug. 21:

Given the recent tension around the Ottawa Pride parade, we’ve decided not to participate in the event for the safety of our colleagues. That said, we remain a strong supporter of the LGBTQ2S+ community in Ottawa and across the country and will continue to demonstrate our commitment.

Bank of Canada, Aug. 21:

The Bank will not be marching in the parade. The Bank will hold an internal celebration of Pride next week.

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