The rainbow flag is seen flying at half-mast at Ottawa City Hall on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Due to COVID-19, celebrations are a mix of in-person and virtual events [Photo by Spencer Colby/The Charlatan]

The 2021 Capital Pride Festival has begun, with this year’s event including a mix of online and in-person celebrations from Aug. 22 to 29. 

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, executive director of Capital Pride Osmel B. Guerra Maynes and elected officials delivered remarks and raised the rainbow flag at the festival to officially commence celebrations.

Themed “We Still Demand!”, Capital Pride is honouring the 50th anniversary of the first large-scale queer rights protest in Canada that took place in Ottawa. According to Capital Pride, the festival aims to remember “the voices that helped us achieve and enjoy the rights and freedoms we cherish today.”

Featured image by Spencer Colby

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