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"We wanted people to connect, even if it's online," Arnot said. "This way, everyone around the world can see the mosaic that makes up our community."įor the Instagrammers, large-scale art pieces by local queer, two-spirit and transgender artists have been installed around downtown. "Having this platform is actually a gift this year because there's going to be way more artists, way more people that aren't usually seen," Smudge said.
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While it's not the same as a typical Pride, it has its advantages, according to drag queen Conni Smudge, MC and host of some of the virtual pride events. Organizers have moved the festival online, live-streaming events on the Vancouver Pride Society website. "We have lots of visitors that come specifically for Pride … It's hard and a little bit sad to think about the folks who won't be able to join us (in person)." "Tourism has obviously taken a hit," Arnot said. The parade was cancelled, but Pride had to go on. The global COVID-19 pandemic meant planning for this year's Pride events changed dramatically in the middle of the process. It's an event that takes almost a year to plan, with organizers beginning preparation for the next year's events in September, according to Andrea Arnot, executive director of the Vancouver Pride Society. If 2020 were a normal year, hundreds of thousands of people would be crowding into downtown Vancouver this weekend for the annual Pride parade and festival.