Thunder Pride Association
About
Following the launch of a planning committee in 2010, the first event was done in 2011. For the first two years, it consisted solely of a community festival, with a parade added to the event calendar for the first time in 2013. It was only the second pride festival ever launched in the Northern Ontario region, following Sudbury Pride in 1997.
The organizing committee of Thunder Pride is made up of a wide spectrum of Thunder Bay residents, including educators, entrepreneurs, union leaders, ministers, artists and filmmakers, community service workers and others from all walks of life. We come together to support friends, family, colleagues and neighbours within our city and region.
As we progress into this year of planning, we are incorporated and continue to be excited at the number of people asking how they can get involved – each one of them eager to help move this community forward.
Our Story
After COVID, the board was at its lowest membership and directors ever, and there was a very good chance that it was going to have to shut down and disband. Our community, not even the membership, came together to save Thunder Pride. We started a new way of doing things; we heard the community on issues regarding police, income equality, immigration, trans rights and more. We took a strong stance of meeting with municipal, provincial, and federal police agencies to start a recommendation and reconciliation movement for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Having a large mix of people on the board is a huge part of why we work so well. We have gender fluid, cis-gender, 2 Spirit, trans, bi/pansexual, lesbian, gay, able and disabled young adults, parents, seniors, and newcomers to Canada! We also took time to form caucus leadership roles for youth, BIPOC, 2 Spirit, Trans and seniors to go over our bylaws and help lead us.
2023 we believe that “U Belong” in the community, here and with us. The strength of our community against hate and violence keeps Thunder Bay and the region, fostering more love, equity, growth, and prosperity for everyone.
Logo
We also have a new logo: the Thunder Pride butterfly! The logo features different elements which represent what Thunder Pride promotes. The butterfly is the predominant design that symbolizes transformation for the community’s members.
The letters T and B stand for Thunder Bay, where our organization is based. Meanwhile, the weather represents the 2 Spirit individuals with the feather colours in the trans flag that are welcomed and valued. Lastly, the letter T also represents a person that stands proud, delivers a message, and amplifies voices. The rest of the colours of the person and butterfly wings are that of the progressive rainbow flag.
To learn more about Thunder Pride Association, please visit: https://www.thunderpride.ca/
