News release details

From police raids to early drag shows, community organizing to the House of Commons — the complex history of 2SLGBTQI+ rights in Canada will be brought to life at the Manitoba premiere of Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance. This free screening at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) on June 28 will capture pivotal moments that sparked Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ movement, honouring the activists and elders whose resistance led to the rights we have today.

Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance brings you to the frontlines of the struggle of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ movement through rarely seen archival footage and first‐person accounts. Unflinching, bold, enraging, hopeful; this film is a vital new chapter in the queer canon.

“With the attacks that are once again being faced by trans people and other members of our rainbow collective, it is urgently time for a refresher on the activist movements that got us this far. Queer archives shouldn’t be allowed to get dusty; those snapshots, video clips and film reels ought to see the light of day — so we can give flowers to those that made a difference. With Parade we wanted to put viewers on the street where our rights were won: to hear, see and feel the invigorating protests that moved the needle and opened up Canadian society. May this film act as a guidebook, lest those phalanxes need resurrecting in the days to come.” – Noam Gonick, director.

Attendees will also have the chance explore Love in a Danger Time: Canada's LGBT Purge. The Purge was one of the longest‐running, largest‐scale violations of human rights in the workplace in Canadian history. Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge brings to light stories from this dark period, which is well documented yet not well known. A film installation created by Noam Gonick in collaboration with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, The Regulation of Desire, is featured in the exhibition.

Following the film screening, take part in a panel discussion and Q and A with Connie Merasty, Myra Laramee, producer Justine Pimlott, and writer and director Noam Gonick. After the panel, guests are encouraged to stay for a reception with DJ Scott Fitzpatrick.

Media interviews with writer and director Noam Gonick and/or producer Justine Pimlott can be arranged through media contact. 

WHAT: Manitoba premiere of Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance

WHEN: Saturday, June 28, 2025, 5 p.m.–10 p.m.

5 p.m.: Doors open

5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge exhibition open 

6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Film screening and panel

9 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Reception with DJ Scott Fitzpatrick

WHERE: Bonnie & John Buhler Hall, Level 1, Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Cost: Free with registration

View image in fullscreen gallery The word "Parade" cascades from the top left of the image to the top right, in bold red letters. Surrounding the letters are images of people holding protest banners and poster, displaying slogans such as "Lesbian Rights Now", "Gay Pride", "Equal Employment for Gays" and "Winnipeg Lesbian Society." Along the bottom of the of the image is the subtitle of the film, in bold red font: "Queer Acts of Love and Resistance."