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Putting Capital Pride on the map – Metro US

Putting Capital Pride on the map

Bringing back old favourites (the Capital Pride Parade) and introducing some new events (Take Back the Bridge and a Pride Street Fair), Ottawa’s most colourful celebration announced the lineup for its 2009 event Thursday with the aim of being even more inclusive.

“This year, we’re diversifying our events so that there’s something for every demographic,” said Alan Chaffe, chairman of the Capital Pride Committee.

A new Capital Pride Youth Committee will focus on events for youth in the community, while a slew of new events promises to make the festival —which, in its 24th year, runs Aug. 21 to 30 and is expected to draw more than 55,000 people from all over Canada to the capital — the best ever.

Themed Capital Pride on the Map, events include an opening party, a Dyke March, pride movie nights, the Miss Capital Pride Pageant, a 5K Diversity Fun Run and a women’s running night, a human rights vigil, a golf tournament, a comedy club event and the Capital Pride Gala.

The event will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the passage of then-justice minister Pierre Trudeau’s 1969 Omnibus Bill which decriminalized homosexuality.

“It’s hard to believe that only 40 years ago, our celebration — which is based on openness, fraternity and self-acceptance — would not have been legal under Canadian law,” said Chaffe.

The much-anticipated Capital Pride Parade, which attracts 35,000 members of the GLBTQ community and its supporters, “is a celebration of the great progress (that) has made in the community,” said Chaffe.