Waterloo councillors celebrate Pride Month with Rainbow Story Festival

Waterloo councillors have partnered with the LGBTQ2S+ community and the Waterloo Public Library (WPL) to launch the Rainbow Story Festival; an online Pride-themed reading circle for local children. 

Community members normally gather the first weekend in June to celebrate tri-Pride which includes a day-long festival in Victoria Park. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the cancellation of in-person gatherings, the local LGBTQ2S+ community is working together to host a number of virtual events throughout Pride Month. One of those virtual events is Waterloo’s first-ever Rainbow Story Festival. 

“The Rainbow Community Council benefits from having active community allies, such as the City of Waterloo and the Waterloo Public Library, as members, and we commend them for taking a lead on the Pride Story Festival,” says Jeremy Steffler, Rainbow Community Council. “Pride Month marks the anniversary of the efforts of black, queer and trans folks sparking a movement to fight for visibility, recognition, safety, and acceptance. We know this fight is still very much needed for many in our community today. The Pride Story Festival, connecting community leaders with local children and families, has huge potential to advance visibility, recognition, and acceptance of the broad diversity in our community. We hope this initiative will help inspire the next generation to work toward a community where everyone feels safe and that they belong.” 

Staff from WPL have carefully selected books that are topical, well-suited to a read-aloud and of interest to the reader. They have also paired up with each city councillor to provide support during the virtual event, and to offer Pride-themed programming after the councillor has finished reading their book. These picture books are geared towards children aged three to eight years old and their caregivers. 

"It is so important to us that everyone sees themselves reflected and celebrated in the resources, programs and spaces of WPL”, says Kelly Kipfer, manager community engagement and children’s services for the WPL. “We love creating opportunities for all families to share stories together and we are happy to be celebrating PRIDE with our community." 

Councillor Freeman applauds the initiative. “This is a wonderful idea and I am very excited to be able to take part in celebrating Pride Month and recognizing the LGBTQ2S+ community in Waterloo Region.” 

The Waterloo Rainbow Story Festival is scheduled as follows:

For more information including dates, times and instructions on how to register to participate, please visit wpl.ca/rainbow-story

Media contact: 

Shelly Reed
Communications consultant
City of Waterloo
shelly.reed@waterloo.ca