Vancouver International Airport partners with Vancouver Pride Society

By Daniel Itai

The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has partnered with the Vancouver Pride Society, in anticipation of the Vancouver Pride Festival set for the 31st of July 2022.

Travellers, visitors and workers will notice the installation of a bold, vibrant mural in the Canada Line walkway that spans from the YVR Airport platform to the terminal. The installation comes as Vancouver Pride Society prepares to hold its first in-person Pride festival in two years.

"YVR is a welcome place for all. We are proud to show our support for Vancouver Pride Society through this important partnership, which is a natural extension of our commitment to building a strong culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging for all travellers and those working for the Airport Authority and across the YVR community of employers," said Richard Beed, vice-president of People & Brand at Vancouver Airport Authority.

In addition, Vancouver Pride Society’s, Lindsey McEwan, who is also an artist said the partnership with YVR came at the right time.

"My aim was to include as many of the (over 32+) pride flags as possible. Each representing queer communities around the world, I placed them in a way that demonstrated how intertwined we are while keeping the integrity of each flag used.

The massive space and glass substrate allowed me to realize an archetype of stained-glass windows that honour and respect all queer communities together with pride," said Lindsey.

Moreso, Lee Keple, Vancouver Pride Society's interim executive director acknowledged Lindsey citing that she is playing a significant role.

"Lindsey McEwan’s mural at YVR celebrates the beauty and diversity of our queer community. We are grateful to have such a strong reflection of #TogetherAgain represented at the airport so that 2SLGBTQIA+ visitors and allies from around the world feel welcome in our amazing city," said Lee.

Vancouver Pride Festival is one of the most largest prides in North America and takes place in the sizzling Canadian Summer months of July and August attracting thousands of people from all around the world.

On the 31st, the Vancouver Pride Festival Parade typically begins at Robson Street and Thurlow Street, heads west to Denman Street, winds its way through the West End-the historic centre of Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community, to Denman, Pacific Street, Beach Avenue and finishes at Sunset Beach Pride Festival and Market.

The parade is immediately followed by a giant waterfront bash, the Sunset Beach Festival, and about 125 000 people gather on Sunset Beach to listen to live music, browse vendor booths, kick back in the beer gardens, take in sparkling views of English Bay, swim in the ocean, and frolic in the festive atmosphere.

You can find a complete VANCOUVER PRIDE GUIDE to this year’s festival, with a listing of over 50 events, on What’s On Queer BC click here.