The annual TRUSU Pride Parade took off on Sept. 17 outside the Campus Community Centre. The quad was decorated with rainbow flags, and loud, upbeat music filled the air as over 100 students, faculty, and allies marched in this year’s parade.
The celebration featured information tables from groups such as the TRU library, Queer Connections, and Student Services, offering queer resources and literature for guests to browse and read. Organizers emphasized that the event was designed not only to celebrate diversity but also to highlight the services available to the 2SLGBTQIA+ students on campus, including a
search engine dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ resources, presented by the library.
“Something we offer at the library is our Pride Resources. You can use our research and resource tool to find books and other information that might help with your needs. Of course, all of our spaces, including the Makerspace, are safe spaces,” said web and communications librarian Holly Ashbourne.
Other TRU offices and departments, including the TRU Wellness Centre and the Gender and Sexual Diversity team, also hosted tables.
At the Wellness Centre location, the team reminded queer students that all their amenities and services, including nap rooms and tea stations, are safe spaces for those in need.
The Gender and Sexual Diversity tables offered a variety of snacks and drinks to keep attendees energized, welcoming all to explore resources available in Kamloops and on campus.
Another crucial element of the Pride parade, as with all Pride events, was a message that every voice matters.
While the event has roots in protest, Pride has evolved into a movement that celebrates resilience, visibility, and the progress of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. For many, Pride celebrations are more than just colourful displays; they’re an affirmation of identity.
“It’s a reminder that you are important, and you are here,” said Equity coordinator Azul-Sky Billy.
In recent years, Canada has taken leaps and bounds in accepting people from the queer community, but there’s still a long way to go in achieving equality. Despite this, queer individuals in Canada still enjoy significantly more freedom and safety than in other nations.
For example, TRU’s 2SLGBTQIA+ representative Apoorv Chowdhury said being queer and from India is not easy. The experience has meant navigating the tension between culture and one’s identity, leaving little room for open conversations about sexuality. The support TRU provides offers the first chance to explore that part of themselves in a supportive environment.
“It’s hard because I love where I come from and I’m proud of it still, but I always thought I would have to choose between my culture and who I am. It’s very important to be able to celebrate pride at TRU, not only to know you have your voice heard, but for those from different countries, difficulties may arise when speaking up. So today is our celebration, to be loud and joyous,” Chowdhury said.
Gender and Sexual Diversity manager Noah Fischer offered praise for the students’ union for their work on Pride initiatives on campus.
“TRUSU knows what they are doing, and they’ve been knocking it out of the park every year,” Fischer said, telling the Omega that the supportive response from TRUSU, volunteers, and campus services creates a strong foundation for the parade. The event becomes less about logistics and more about creating a vibrant space for joy, visibility, and community.
As it relates to finding a permanent safe space on campus for the queer community, no update was available at this time.
“To get a space will take some time, though we are booking as many rooms as we can in the meantime,” Fischer said.
Although establishing the space remains a primary goal, Fischer noted that the willingness of different campus departments to open their doors to help accommodate the community has created a network of welcoming environments.
“I’ve been working to maximize the amount of spaces we have here at TRU, like our office, the Wellness and Medical centre,” Fischer said.
This year’s Pride Parade may now be in our rear-view mirrors, but its ideals and sentiments, that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated, will endure until the next.