PASS’ FIRST PRIDE CELEBRATION
It’s August—Vancouver’s Pride season! Rainbow flags are everywhere, the streets are buzzing with music and color, and everyone is excited about the parade, concerts, and community celebrations. But sadly, for many neurodiverse adults, traditional Pride events can unintentionally exclude those who find large crowds, loud noises, or overwhelming sensory stimulation difficult to navigate.
That’s why, this August, we at PASS hosted our very first self-organized PRIDE celebration! And what a joyful, love-filled, and empowering day it turned out to be.
What you should know is, that we didn’t just wake up and throw a party, we spent a whole week preparing. Rainbow decorations, garlands, and crafts (we made our own photo-booth!) began to fill our space, as excitement built up day by day. The energy was already buzzing before the celebration even began!
When the day finally arrived, we were ready. The schedule was set, the decorations were up, and we kicked things off with something truly meaningful: a class on why PRIDE matters. Together, we explored how to create safe, welcoming spaces where everyone feels protected from bullying and negativity. We talked about the meanings behind different pride flags, the importance of using correct pronouns, and how being inclusive, respectful, and supportive is essential, whether you're a friend, a family member, or a community member.
The conversation was honest, inspiring, and uplifting. You could feel the care and compassion in the room, a beautiful reminder that learning and kindness go hand in hand.
BUT WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO TEACH AUTISTIC ADULT ABOUT PRIDE?
Autistic individuals, like everyone else, deserve access to clear, affirming information about themselves and others. Yet, this topic is often overlooked in adult education, support programs, or care settings.
Pronouns and gender identity are part of everyday respectful interaction. Learning about pronouns helps build social understanding and supports more inclusive relationships.
Let’s not forget that autistic adults Can Be 2SLGBTQIA+ too, and when not taught about gender diversity or Pride, they are more vulnerable to isolation, misinformation, or discrimination. Education helps counteract this. It also sends a message that neurodivergent people belong in these conversations and spaces.
After our class, it was time to get creative! Tanya and Erika had prepared a fantastic lineup of crafts: necklaces, bracelets, heart-wands, and even “complimenting tips” in honor of a very special guest who would join us after lunch.
And that guest? A fabulous Mx Bukuru, a local drag queen brought to us by the incredible Storytelling with Drag Queens Foundation! Mx Bukuru read us a story, performed a dance number that lit up the room, and answered our many curious and thoughtful questions. Their visit was powerful, joyful, and full of pride.
We ended the day with a high-energy dance party and a mini pride parade, walking together to a nearby park with music, laughter, and celebration filling the air.
This day was about more than fun, it was about love, inclusion, and being seen. It was especially meaningful because it was the first time PASS Burnaby joined PASS Vancouver in celebration. Two programs, side by side, equally welcomed, equally cherished, and equally amazing.
We’re already looking forward to the next time we can come together, learn together, and celebrate with our friends. Until then… Happy PRIDE!
