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The popular Drag Queen Storytime is online and at Hamilton Community Centre on Monday (July 25) from 1 to 2 p.m. to celebrate this year’s Pride Week.

Photo courtesy City of Richmond

Richmond to celebrate Pride Week July 25 to 31

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 10:39 PDT, Tue July 19, 2022

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Richmond residents and their families and friends are invited to celebrate Pride Week next week (July 25 to 31) with free events and activities that include story times, workshops, fitness classes, and a unique printmaking activity.

“The City of Richmond acknowledges the contributions of the LGBTQ2S+ community to our city and recognizes the ongoing need to strive towards safety and inclusion for all residents,” says Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “The events and activities during Pride Week are a great opportunity to celebrate the diverse communities we have in Richmond.”

The inclusive, engaging, and free activities planned for this year are open to all residents and visitors, and feature local leaders, artists, and community members. The events are offered by the City of Richmond, in partnership with community associations and societies and the Richmond Public Library.

Highlights of Richmond’s Pride Week include:

• Printmaking for Pride (July 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Richmond Cultural Centre Plaza)

Join LGBTQ2S+ artist Edward Fu-Chen Juan and guest artist Jade Balogh-Callow for a family-friendly monotype printmaking activity and social. Participants will create their own prints using plant-based ink and materials that have been collected and curated by the artist for their symbolic references to strength, endurance, and perseverance.

• Drag Queen Storytime (July 25, 1 to 2 p.m., online and at Hamilton Community Centre)

Don’t miss local teacher and drag performer Bryan Bone, aka Gina Tonic, for children's stories that teach lessons of diversity, self-love, and an appreciation of others. This event is offered in-person and through Zoom.

• Pride Latin Dance Fitness (July 26, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., West Richmond Community Centre)

Celebrate Pride Week outdoors with powerhouse personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Sabine Yep, leading a high energy Latin dance class. This event is open to adults of all skill levels.

• Pride in the Park (July 27, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Garden City Park)

Take part in this family-friendly event with crafts, games, and a Pride concert in the park, featuring local artist Jason Chu.

• What I Wish My Parents Knew: A Workshop for Parents of Queer Youth, by Queer Youth (July 27, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Richmond Public Library Brighouse branch)

Be a part of this workshop aimed at helping parents and caregivers embrace the LGBTQ+ youth in their lives. There will be discussions and testimonials from both LGBTQ+ youth and a parent of an LGBTQ+ individual, followed by a question and answer session with all presenters.

• Cambie’s Allyship Workshop (July 28, 3 to 4 p.m., East Richmond Community Hall)

Join others for an afternoon of family-friendly allyship education. Activities include a short presentation on how to help advance the interest of the LGBTQ+ community, an interactive activity on what allyship means to individuals, and a Waacking dance performance.

For a full list of Pride Week events and activities, visit richmond.ca/prideweek.