Tomorrow, Saturday August 3rd, Covenant House Vancouver will be participating in the Vancouver Dyke March and Festival!
This is the 20th anniversary of the March/Festival, and we are thrilled to be involved. We will have a booth set up at Grandview Park, which is at the Festival entrance.
About the event
For full details about the event, click here.
The Vancouver Dyke March is a 1.2km walk up the paved roads of Commercial Drive.
- 11am: meet at McSpadden Park to paint banner
- 12pm: leave McSpadden Park to begin the March
- 12:30pm: arrive at the Festival at Grandview Park
- 5pm: Festival ends
Important note about the heat
It is going to be a hot and sunny weekend at the event, so please dress accordingly, use sunscreen, and bring a water bottle!
The event will have a water station for you to refill your bottles, a water feature to help keep you cool outdoors, paper fans will be handed out, and the Britannia 55+ Centre will be open and has air conditioning, chairs, washrooms and more.
About the Vancouver Dyke March and Festival
The Vancouver Dyke March and Festival vision for the world is one that respects and values people of all sexual and gender identities, expressions and orientations, where everyone has the opportunity to love, live, and thrive.
The Vancouver Dyke March and Festival celebrates and centres the experiences of those whose gender identity or expression intersects with their sexual orientation to further marginalize them within the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ community, including but not limited to trans and cisgender women and femmes, butches, as well as other trans, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals.
All who wish to stand in solidarity are welcome.
About Covenant House Vancouver
At Covenant House Vancouver, we honour and celebrate the diversity, strength, and resilience of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all youth, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our Commitment to 2SLGBTQAI+ Youth
At Covenant House Vancouver, we recognize that 2SLGBTQAI+ youth often face unique challenges and obstacles. Many experience discrimination, rejection, and homelessness at higher rates than their peers. Our mission is to provide a safe haven where every young person feels valued, respected, and empowered to pursue their dreams.
About vulnerable youth and the heat
For those who are homeless or precariously housed, extreme heat can be dangerous. Individuals without a secured dwelling may lack access to fresh water, sunscreen, and cool places to stay. Fraser Health notes, “Summer heat can pose serious health risks to people experiencing homelessness or living in precarious housing, especially those with pre-existing heart, lung, or mental health conditions.”
At Covenant House Vancouver, we take proactive steps to protect youth from the heat. We ensure that those living outside or staying with us have access to essential supplies like water bottles, sunscreen, and cool clothing. Our Drop-In Centre provides a safe, air-conditioned space where youth can shower, hydrate, eat nutritious food, and escape the sun.
- Here’s how you can help support young people during this extreme heat:
- Check on vulnerable neighbours and community members.
- Encourage people who need a cool place to go to visit a cooling centre.
- Make a monetary donation to help provide immediate support.
- Donate much needed items such as sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, electric and hand fans, water/Gatorade, energy bars, and cooling towels.
For those who wish to support vulnerable youth during these hot summer months, we have a list of much needed items that would greatly help those in need.
Have a fantastic long weekend! Stay safe and enjoy the festivities. Happy Pride!