
Be Here. Be You. Belong.
Pride Month takes place each June to recognize the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York, a turning point for the U.S. gay liberation movement. Today, Pride Month is a time to champion freedom and equality and to recognize the achievements and contributions of the LGBTQ2S+ community, which includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and two-spirit people and any people who identify as part of sexual and gender-diverse communities.
As we look ahead to summer-long Pride celebrations locally, and throughout Metro Vancouver, we invite everyone to join Coquitlam in supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ2S+ community. Such actions, both privately and publicly, help to denounce discrimination and hate in order to further allyship in our vibrant and diverse community. Allyship is not a one-time action, it is a journey of support, learning and commitment. This is a journey that Coquitlam, as an organization, is also embarking on with purpose, while keeping the safety of our residents and community top of mind.
The Rainbow as a Symbol of Pride
Starting June 1, Coquitlam will showcase its support for the LGBTQ2S+ community by flying the Pride flag at City Hall and displaying over 115 Pride banners across the city, including Town Centre Park, City Centre, Poirier civic precinct and various city facilities. These flags, alongside the rainbow-coloured lighting on Pinetree Way and the enduring rainbow crosswalk on Burlington Avenue, symbolize the City’s commitment to inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Since the late 1970s, the rainbow flag and colours has been a universally recognized symbol for Pride that reflects both the diversity and the unity of the LGBTQ2S+ community. While the design has evolved over time, the Pride rainbow has remained an enduring symbol of support and celebration. To learn more about the rainbow Pride flag, its origins through designer Gilbert Baker and its history, visit glbthistory.org/gilbert-baker.