June is Pride Month in the Yukon, and Queer Yukon Society is proudly bringing more than 40 community-focused events, both online and in-person, throughout the territory.

Building on the work of previous LGBTQIA2S+ community organizers, the Queer Yukon Society was formed in 2013 to offer visibility and support to LGBTQIA2S+ Yukoners.

Since its inception, the society has grown the festival from a week-long celebration in Whitehorse to a month-long festival across the territory.

With support from volunteers, staff, sponsors, and community organizations, the festival has more events than ever before.

“We are so proud of the community members who have worked tirelessly to bring joy and hope to this year’s Pride festival,” Joe Wickenhauser, the society’s executive director, said Tuesday.

“After a challenging year, we really wanted the focus to be on bringing the community together, supporting one another and creating spaces where we all belong.”

In lieu of a Pride parade in Whitehorse this year, the Pride planning committee is organizing multiple smaller gatherings in Whitehorse, Dawson City, and Watson Lake, consistent with COVID-19 safety guidelines.

A wide range of 40-plus events will offer something for everyone. Plans include barbecues, storytime, workshops, French panel discussions, film screenings, community walks, outdoor dancing, drag shows and artists’ talks. Most events will be free of charge.

To launch the month of events, an opening circle was held Tuesday at the Healing Pole in downtown Whitehorse.

The event aimed to open the month in a good way by creating opportunities for community connection.

To mark this year’s events lineup, the society launched a dedicated website: YukonPride2021.com, where information about upcoming events will be regularly updated.

The society has expanded its scope and mandate to organize the festival.

The planning committee has been closely following the weekly COVID-19 updates.

Outdoor gatherings remain limited to a maximum of 200 people.

“With more than 400 attendees at previous parades in Whitehorse, the committee decided to take a cautious approach to the 2021 Yukon Pride Festival,” the society said.

“In lieu of a large parade in Whitehorse, (the society) will be hosting many smaller gatherings across the Yukon where community members can show their pride and connect with one another.”