When the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife took over of the citySA国际影视传媒檚 Pride festival earlier this year, the organization set out with a renewed vision: To make the celebration inclusive for all LGBTQ2S+ community members.

The coalition aimed to achieve its goal by organizing a mix of crowd-drawing community events with low-key activities and workshops, encompassing both the collective celebratory spirit of Pride while catering to queer and trans folk who may feel overwhelmed by the festivities.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat we did is we tried a series of events that didnSA国际影视传媒檛 necessarily rely on group participation and didnSA国际影视传媒檛 force people to be outgoing in loud, crowded spaces,SA国际影视传媒� said Chelsea Thacker, executive director of the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife.

From a trivia and karaoke night to a cookout and a tattoo fundraiser, the events are designed to be enjoyed individually or in groups.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou can attend these events and feel like you can still be part of Pride and not have to give 110 per cent,SA国际影视传媒� said Thacker.

Held on Monday night, the all-day marathon tattoo fundraiser for the Rainbow Coalition was just one of the new additions to YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Pride festival this year.

In February, the coalition took on the responsibilities of organizing the festival after the dissolution of NWT Pride.

With only a few months to plan the festival, the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife and a team of dedicated volunteers SA国际影视传媒� there are about 60 this year SA国际影视传媒� pulled everything together, creating a jam-packed lineup of events that not only celebrate the LGBTQ2S+ community but raise awareness about issues that are important to its members.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne thing thatSA国际影视传媒檚 different about the Rainbow Coalition and how we host events is that we donSA国际影视传媒檛 just look at celebration and fun," said Thacker. "We also look at education and outreach."

Thacker said Pride provides an opportunity to familiarize the public with SA国际影视传媒渃oncepts or issues that they might not be aware of but are very pressing for our community.SA国际影视传媒�

On Thursday, the coalition hosted a panel discussion that urged medical practitioners to be more mindful of LGBTQ2S+ people accessing health care services.

In a time of heightened social and political division, Thacker said Pride celebrations are as important as ever.

SA国际影视传媒淚 believe firmly that we need Pride festivals to be reminded of how Pride began, as well as how we continued to struggle to make sure that we have all our rights and freedoms,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Pointing to the legalization of same-sex marriage in Canada as an example, Thacker said some people take the milestone as meaning LGBTQ2S+ people no longer have to fight for their rights.

ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 not the case, she said.

Thacker said the LGBTQ2S+ community still faces various forms of violence.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 still very alive and real for us,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淧ride celebrations are important because we need to connect with our community and remind people that we can stand together and support one another to make sure weSA国际影视传媒檙e all safe and healthy and free,SA国际影视传媒� she added.

But the spirit SA国际影视传媒� and the point SA国际影视传媒� of Pride shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 end after a week, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淔or 365 days of the year, we need to be looking at what needs to change in order to make our community safety,SA国际影视传媒� said Thacker.

Pride events this weekend: 

Friday, Aug. 9

Drag Queen Story Time 

Where: Somba KSA国际影视传媒檈 Civic Plaza

When: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Rainbow Cabaret 

Where: Top Knight

When: 9 p.m.

19 plus event; $25 entry fee

Saturday, Aug. 10 

Rainbow Run 3K and 5K 

Where: Somba KSA国际影视传媒檈 Civic Plaza

When: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Rainbow Community Fair and BBQ 

Where: Somba KSA国际影视传媒檈 Civic Plaza

When: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Rainbow Cabaret 

Where: Top Knight

When: 8 p.m. 

19 plus event; $25 entry fee

Pride Party

Where: Folk on the Rocks site

When: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.