A dandelion forcing its way through a crack in the pavement, blossoming against all odds, in a world that desires to crush it down.
To Taylor Sanford, Calgary Pride’s sponsorship and fund development manager, that is the metaphorical vision behind Calgary Pride’s 2025 theme, “Bursting into Bloom.”
“The idea of strength and growing in places where you can thrive and live authentically, even if it’s difficult conditions,” said Sanford. “For the 2SLGBTQI+ communities, it reflects joy, resistance, and coming into this year in full colour as yourself.”
Calgary Pride’s announcement of the festival and parade describes the focus of this year being on the “community garden” of 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations. This includes artists, healthcare workers, business-owners, and lawmakers, who are all united under the idea of helping people learn and grow.
It sounds picturesque — utopian, even. But at its core, the sentiment is more grounded in current reality.
“[It’s about] really trying to support local this year,” said Sanford. “Bringing in more local artists … and recognizing the large suite of both members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, as well as allies — teachers, doctors — who are dealing with the results of legislation [and] decisions by the current government.”
The Education Amendment Act, passed in late 2024, makes it a requirement for teachers in Alberta to obtain parental permission to refer to a student under the age of 16 by a name other than their legal name, and to use pronouns that do not match a student’s sex assigned at birth. For students over 16, parental permission is not required, but parents must be notified.
Another bill, the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, requires schools and sports organizations in Alberta to create and enforce policies that limit “eligibility for female-only divisions to assigned female at birth athletes.” Both acts will go into effect in late 2025.
Along with what’s happening in government here at home, Sanford also said that politics in the U.S. have been causing anxiety among the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
“We’ve had a long season, to put it mildly, of heaviness,” said Sanford. “Everything from political backlash to financial strain from Pride organizations across Canada and the U.S. and probably beyond. We wanted something really bold and life-affirming.”
Calgary Pride takes place on August 30 and 31 at Prince’s Island Park. The parade marches down 9th Avenue on the 31. For more information, check out calgarypride.ca.
