Bow Valley Pride Network

08/25/2026

Travellers notice details.

Are pronouns respected in booking forms? Are policies clear? Are staff trained to respond confidently and respectfully?

Genuine connection with 2SLGBTQIA+ travellers happens through systems, not slogans.

Explore how inclusive design supports both community values and business outcomes in this new article.

Move beyond performative allyship. Learn how to build authentic, year round engagement with the 2SLGBTQIA+ travel market and unlock a $12 billion opportunity in Canada.

08/21/2026

This week’s Q***r Education Minute is roaring in.

Have you ever wondered why motorcycles have become such an iconic part of Pride?

In our latest Q***r Education Minute, we’re looking back at the origins of D***s on Bikes, a tradition that began in San Francisco in 1976 — when a group of le***an motorcyclists moved to the front of a Pride parade for a surprisingly practical reason: their bikes needed to keep moving to avoid overheating.

That simple solution became something much bigger: a powerful symbol of visibility, community, reclamation, and Pride.

And 2026 marks 50 years since that first historic ride. We also have a local connection, with a new Calgary chapter forming and participating in Calgary Pride this September.

Tune in to learn the story behind the motorcycles leading the way.

***rEducationMinute ***sOnBikes ***rHistory

08/13/2026

Travellers are paying attention to how destinations respond to pressure.

Research shows that consumers are more likely to support businesses that stand by their stated values, especially when those values relate to inclusion and safety.

For tourism operators in Banff National Park, this is not about politics. It is about credibility, workforce culture, and long-term resilience.

Discover what smart operators are doing differently.

Navigate DEI backlash in tourism with a risk management guide.

08/11/2026

What does it mean to support non-binary employees in the workplace?

It doesn't require perfection. It requires respect, a willingness to learn, and everyday actions that help everyone feel welcome.

In this short video, we explore practical ways leaders and coworkers can create more inclusive workplaces, including:
• Using correct names and pronouns
• Modelling inclusive language
• Responding appropriately when mistakes happen
• Building a culture where everyone belongs

Creating an inclusive workplace benefits everyone. When people feel respected, they are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to thrive.

Watch the video and let us know:
What's one action your workplace has taken to create a more inclusive culture?

08/08/2026

Did you know one of Canada's most influential soul singers was also a trailblazing Black transgender woman?

In this edition of Q***r History Moments, we're celebrating Jackie Shane, whose incredible music, courage, and authenticity helped shape Canada's cultural landscape during the 1960s.

Her story reminds us that q***r and trans people have always been part of Canadian history, even if those stories haven't always been told.

Watch the video and learn about one of Canada's most inspiring soul pioneers.

***rHistory

08/06/2026

There isn't one way to be non-binary.

Some people identify as agender. Others may identify as gender fluid, bigender, or use another term that best reflects their experience. Every identity is valid, and every person's journey is unique.

In Part 2 of our Non-Binary Identities series, we explore some of the language people use to describe themselves and why understanding these terms helps us create more respectful and inclusive communities.

Watch the video and share one thing you learned.

08/05/2026

Non Binary Identities Part 1

Did you know that many cultures have recognized more than two genders for centuries?

From Two-Spirit traditions among many Indigenous Nations to Hijras in South Asia, Muxes in Mexico, and Fa'afafine in Samoa, gender diversity has long been part of human history.

This short video explores just a few of these cultural traditions and reminds us that there is no single way societies have understood gender.

Watch, learn, and share if you discovered something new.

07/27/2026

How has recognition of non-binary and gender-diverse people changed in Canada?

Our latest Q***r Education Minute looks at four moments in Canadian history that helped shape greater recognition of gender diversity, from the adoption of the term Two-Spirit in 1990, to federal human rights protections, the introduction of the “X” gender marker on passports, and the 2021 Census.

These are only four moments in a much longer history. Gender diversity is not new, but the language, legal recognition, and ways we understand gender continue to evolve.

Watch the video to learn more.

***rEducationMinute ***rHistory

07/20/2026

From the Prairies to the world stage.

Born in Edmonton and raised in Consort, Alberta, k.d. lang became one of Canada's most celebrated musicians while also helping redefine LGBTQ+ visibility in popular culture.

From the success of Ingénue and Constant Craving to her groundbreaking decision to come out publicly and her iconic Vanity Fair cover, k.d. lang has inspired generations through authenticity, artistry, and courage.

This edition of Q***r History Moments celebrates an Alberta icon whose influence extends far beyond music.

***rHistory

07/18/2026

How did one man's unfair imprisonment help change Canadian history?

This edition of Q***r History Moments explores the story of Everett Klippert, whose arrest and indefinite prison sentence for consensual relationships with other men became a turning point in Canada's journey toward the decriminalization of homosexuality.

Watch, learn, & share.

***rHistory