Doctors Manitoba physicians and medical learners joined thousands downtown and at The Forks for Pride Winnipeg last weekend. 

Our Getting Healthy Outreach Team also participated for the first time, connecting with community members throughout the day. 

What we heard: All along the parade route, we heard spectators shout out their thanks to doctors. And at our tent on the festival grounds, top questions were about: 

• Finding a family doctor

• How to use the Getting Healthy Guide

💡 Our role: Doctors Manitoba was a Gold level sponsor of Pride this year. Justin Fernandes, Managing Director of the Pride Winnipeg Festival said the Pride Winnipeg festival and organization wouldn’t be possible without sponsorship from Doctors Manitoba and partnerships with like-minded local and national organizations. ​“Our festival has been free for the community for 39 years and it’s thanks to sponsor partners like Doctors Manitoba.” 

🗣️ What they’re saying: ​“Showing up for Manitobans by participating in our parade shows queer folks in attendance, and those watching the livestream at home that may not feel comfortable attending Pride just yet that Doctors Manitoba stands with the 2SLGBTQ+ community and creates trust,” said Fernandes. Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Alon Altman was interviewed by radio personality Ace Burpee on the livestream on the Portage Avenue parade route.

👀 Where we’ve been and what’s next: This year’s Pride rally began at the Manitoba Legislative Building, a site with deep significance in Winnipeg Pride history. In 1987, approximately 250 people gathered there while awaiting the vote to add sexual orientation to the Manitoba Human Rights Code. That gathering sparked Winnipeg’s first Pride march. 

🎉Next year marks Pride Winnipeg’s 40^th anniversary!