Press Release
Documentary Film Screening
Parade: Queer Acts of Love and Resistance
Rainbow Gatherings has scheduled a community screening of the powerful and informative documentary “Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance” at 7 PM, Friday, October 16th, at the Bayside Bistro, 2760 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay.
This film is a bold and unflinching documentary that charts the rise of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ rights movement through powerful first-person testimony and rarely seen archival footage. From drag shows and community organizing to police raids and protests on Parliament Hill, the film honours the elders and activists whose defiance helped shape a more inclusive society. Director Noam Gonick brings audiences to the frontlines of a decades-long struggle, reminding us that the rights hard-won through grassroots resistance are far from guaranteed. At once enraging, hopeful and celebratory, Parade is a vital reminder of queer resilience and a rallying cry for renewed solidarity today.
This film, released last year, tells the story of the Pride movement from the 1950s persecution to the present. It features interviews with various notable individuals, and archival footage (including some from activists' private libraries).
For those who lived it, it is a piece of our history. For younger folks, it is instructive as to how we got to the freedoms we might take for granted. For some sub-communities (women and racialized groups), it is a reminder of the internal battle to be recognized - that Pride is not just a white male event.
This documentary is the winner of the 2025 Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Inside Out Toronto LBGT Film Festival and was a 2026 Nominee for Best Editing in a Feature Length Documentary at the Canadian Screen Awards.
The film uses archival footage, video art, news clips, and first-person interviews to explore decades of queer resistance and celebration in Canada. It highlights key historical moments such as the We Demand Rally, protests following police raids, and the rise of Two-Spirit and Indigenous identities, focusing heavily on grassroots activism, community joy, and solidarityThe date if this screening is significant as it is associated with the celebration of October as 2SLGBTQI History Month and comes just after National Coming Out Day on October 11th. Both these dates celebrate the themes of “light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”.
As community building and promotion of intergenerational interactions are two of the objectives of the Rainbow Gatherings, participants will be encouraged to stay following the film for discussion and conversation. Younger Queers are also encouraged to bring their parents who may be able to acquire new understanding and learn new strategies for their own lives as parents of an out child.
This is a secular event provided free by the Affirm Committee of Comox United Church. Al are welcome to attend and participate: Queers and their allies, potential allies, old and younger gays and lesbians, high school/college students, seniors, and those inbetween, those of various orientations and romantic attractions, neural diversities and all others. It will be a relaxed and interesting evening for the community to gather and get to know one another. It is a safe and free event for the whole community.
Ben Wang of the Bayside Bistro is offering his regular menu for purchase by those needing a little sustenance to strengthen themselves, and something to slake their thirst. The menu includes a number of sushi and maki rolls, several onigiri items, and a variety of combos which includes spring rolls, steam buns, gyoza and dumplings.
The event is free but tickets are recommended and available through Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rainbow-games-film-parade-queer-acts-of-love-resistancetickets-2002477148055?aff=oddtdtcreator .
These events are a gift to the Queer and allies community to encourage intergenerational gatherings and the sharing that builds community while being fun and engaging.
Even though the Rainbow Gatherings are being offered by the Affirm Committee of Comox United Church, these events are held off-site and specifically have no evangelizing or preaching permitted. We recognize that many members of the Queer Community have had historically negative experiences with churches. Many members of the Queer community have a warranted concern around church sponsored events.
We are focused on providing a community building opportunity to encourage deeper and greater understanding among the Queer community and between Queers and allies at these events.