Pride in Edmonton seeks to amplify, not dictate

Pride festivities in Edmonton are gathered from the bottom up, not dominated by one top-level organizer, says the curator and historian who collects those celebrations of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Colin Gallant/Taproot Edmonton

“We’re very unique,” said Ron Byers of Pride Edmonton, which gathers and shares events from myriad organizers, great and small. “In most cities around the globe, they have one organization that celebrates Pride. It’s made up of a group of people from the community, they get together, they plan a weekend or a week of fun and activities, and it’s all focused around that.”

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CBC Listen – Two long-time drag queens on their activism

CBC Edmonton recently sat down with two of Edmonton’s long time drag queens to talk about Alberta’s oldest 2SLGBTQ+ organization – the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose. The segment aired on October 30, 2025. Click the link below to open in a new window. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-17-edmonton-am/clip/16178697-two-long-time-drag-queens-activism

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Edmonton’s overlooked queer history

Edmonton has a big place in Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ history — but it doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. Now, there are people trying to change that. In recent years, projects highlighting Edmonton’s queer history and stories have gained traction, and there is work being done to preserve decades of activism and community for the next generation. Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with Ron Byers of the Rainbow Story Hub, to talk about Edmonton’s queer history and what’s so unique about our city’s story.

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Queer History Month kicks off in the City of Edmonton

“Our queer history doesn’t just date back to the 60s when we started becoming more visible; it actually dates back centuries but our opportunities to start telling those stories have only begun recently,” said Ron Byers a queer historian. “Back in the 60s when I came out, it was illegal to be a gay man. I could have been thrown in jail and most of the young folks today don’t understand that,” said Byers.

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We Are Survivors – Backroom Chatter

We Are Survivors – Backroom Chatter Podcast In this Premiere episode, non-other than Mr. Ron Byers, Rhoda B, long-time host of Drag Races and founding member of well, everything Gay in Edmonton, graciously donates time and powerful memories to make your host Michael McDonell, just sit in awe and wonder..

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Partying with Ike & Tina in 1976

Seeing Tina Turner that night at the Edmonton Gardens in 1976 still remains one of the biggest highlights of my lifetime.

I was a young 21 year old when I had a chance to “run away with the circus”. I was asked to join a traveling drag show called the Fantasy Follies as their sound and lighting technician. What a chance to go way past my shyness and fears and live in hotel rooms travelling across Canada with a group of amazing Drag performers.

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Capturing And Sharing Edmonton’s Queer History

This Powerpoint style presentation brings the story of the work that has been done to bring the history of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to life over the last 35+ years. The presentation is about 30-35 minutes and can be done in person or virtually with an optional 20 – 25 minute […]

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Edmonton’s Pride Celebration History

The First 21 years 1980 – 2001 Edmonton’s first recognized Pride event was a Picnic In The Park thought to be held at Camp Harris, home of the 49th Battalion, The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Association. It was attended by about 75 people in 1980 to bring awareness to our community […]

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Evolution of the Edmonton Queer History project hits the web and city streets

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/evolution-of-the-edmonton-queer-history-project-hits-the-web-and-city-streets From the audience, Ron Byers said the latest iteration of the project is particularly valuable to future generations who wouldn’t otherwise have access to the knowledge and experience of those who lived Edmonton’s queer history. “Because it’s all up here,” he said, pointing to his head. “It opens up […]

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Aging with Pride — January 6, 2022

Aging with Pride — January 6, 2022 Ron Byers Ron will talk about local queer history and the clubs in Edmonton. He is a community leader and story teller. He is the founder of the Rainbow Story Hub / Edmonton Queer History program. Courtesy of the Edmonton Pride Seniors Group

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Out of the Closets & Into the Streets

Most major cities have a neighbourhood that has clearly defined itself as the “gay” neighbourhood, an area where LGBTQ2S+ folks can build a community together while living, working, shopping, and eating at welcoming businesses. Toronto’s Church Street and Vancouver’s Davie Street are just two that come to mind. Edmonton breaks tradition by having not one but two gaybourhoods that have come together to form a community for LGBTQ2S+ Edmontonians.

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