Province Celebrates the Start of Pride Month With Flag Raising Ceremony at Confederation Building

June 2, 2025

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador celebrated the beginning of Pride Month with a flag-raising ceremony today at Confederation Building. Pride Month is held throughout Canada in June as an opportunity to celebrate diversity and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, and to raise awareness of the importance of acceptance and inclusion.

The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, hosted today’s ceremony, which was emceed by the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Government Modernization and Service Delivery.

The Pride flag was raised by Minister Gambin-Walsh, who was joined by Inuit Elder Emma Reelis of First Light, Dr. Ailsa Craig, co-founder and co-chair of Quadrangle NL, Sarah Worthman, executive director of the NL Queer Research Initiative, and singer-songwriter Karla Pilgrim.

From June 13 to 15, Confederation Building will be lit in the colours of the rainbow as a visual reminder of the importance of Pride. The Pride flag will be flown on the Confederation Building courtesy pole from June 13 to 17. Additionally, four rainbow crosswalks and rainbow benches are visible on the Confederation Building grounds year-round.

The Provincial Government is committed to working with the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador is a safe, accessible, and inclusive place for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

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“Pride Month is a time to celebrate love in all its forms, to uplift the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, and to recognize the courage, strength, and resilience it takes to live authentically. It is also a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity, acceptance and the ongoing challenges faced for equality and human rights. Let us all use Pride Month, and every month, to listen, learn and advocate for a more inclusive and just society, and build a Newfoundland and Labrador where everyone is free to be exactly who they are – every day of the year.”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

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Office of Women and Gender Equality

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