Summer of Pride: Visibility, allyship, and celebration
This year, YVR’s Summer of Pride campaign brought colour, joy, and reflection to the airport community through a series of events that celebrated diversity, encouraged learning, and built allyship among employees, passengers, and partners alike.
We kicked off the season in June with a powerful Lunch & Learn featuring Musqueam artist and Two-Spirit speaker Manuel (Manny) Strain, who shared moving reflections on identity, culture, and history—reminding us of the strength in storytelling and the importance of representation. That same day, over 75 Airport Authority staff came together dressed in the colours of the Progress Pride Flag, forming a real-life recreation of the design and showing visible allyship across the organization.
On July 26, YVR employees and allies proudly joined the 3rd Annual Richmond Pride Walk in Steveston Village. Led by MLA Kelly Greene, the walk brought together over 500 participants, including Premier David Eby and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, to champion love, visibility, and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Our team brought both enthusiasm and visibility—high-vis vests, hard hats, wands, and smiles lit the way, adding a bit of sparkle to the celebration and reinforcing our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
YVR also sponsored Fitness is Such a Drag on July 29, a high-energy community event and fundraiser on the plaza at the Vancouver Art Gallery in support of QMUNITY, B.C.’s queer, trans, and Two-Spirit resource centre. Organized by queer-owned business Pop Queen Cardio, the event featured star-studded drag performances and beginner-friendly cardio sessions, proving that movement and advocacy go hand in hand.
As part of our continued support for inclusive communities, YVR also awarded a $20,000 grant to Rainbow Refugee to help strengthen its volunteer-led programs supporting LGBTQIA+ and HIV+ refugees and newcomers. Volunteers are at the heart of the organization’s work—providing peer support, coordinating events, and offering vital outreach—and this funding helps enhance engagement, equity, and capacity across its growing network.
To keep the celebrations going ahead of Vancouver’s Pride Parade, we brought the festivities to life on July 31 with vibrant Pride activations throughout the terminal and airport office building. The highlight: a live performance by Tiffany Ann Co., a fan favourite from Season 5 of Canada’s Drag Race and one of Vancouver’s most celebrated drag performers. Backed by DJ Foxx, a talented transgender artist and community advocate, Tiffany lit up the space with charisma, interaction, and a surprise show for YVR employees that brought joy and energy to the workplace. Guests and staff were also treated to sweet moments thanks to Love Bailie, a local popsicle pedaller, who handed out rainbow popsicles throughout the terminal, adding a refreshing and colourful touch to the day.
These moments of celebration coincided with one of the busiest weeks of the year at YVR. During Vancouver Pride Week alone, we welcomed approximately 360,000 travellers—a 7.4% increase over 2024 and a 3.8% increase compared to 2019, marking a historic high for the airport.
At YVR, we’re proud to elevate the travel experience every day. This Pride season, we showed once again that everyone belongs here.