Algonquin’s Pedestrian Bridge Lit Up to Celebrate Capital Pride

Posted on Sunday, August 22nd, 2021

Algonquin College’s pedestrian bridge lit up the night sky with all the colours of the rainbow on Sunday (August 22) to help recognize the start of Capital Pride Week.

“To celebrate the beginning of Capital Pride Week and show the city our true colours, we are lighting up our Woodroffe Avenue pedestrian bridge in vibrant, rainbow colour for the very first time. For one week, rainbow lights will illuminate this walkway each and every night, declaring our pride in and support for our 2SLGBTQ+ learners, employees, and community members,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and CEO.

The rainbow colours of the bridge will offer many in the 2SLGBTQ+ community hope, said Osmel B. Guerra Maynes, the Executive Director of Capital Pride, who spoke to those gathered to help celebrate the flicking of the switch on the bridge.

“A lot of folks within our communities sometimes just need that glimmer of hope, and to walk or drive down this street and see this bridge lit-up can offer that. This bridge can give hope to folks, that if I am not accepted in my own home, I can be still be accepted in my own community and live my authentic life,” said Maynes.

Emily Ferguson, President of the Algonquin Students’ Association said that “lighting the Woodroffe pedestrian bridge in rainbow colours shows the Ottawa community some of our best qualities here at Algonquin College – accepting of one another, celebrating differences, and respecting the freedom to love.”

Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean, attended the official lighting ceremony and told those gathered that “it is so fitting that as we mark the beginning of celebrations for Capital Pride that Algonquin is lighting up this beautiful pedestrian bridge that welcomes people. It really shows that we are totally embracing this celebration of diversity and sending a signal right out across the city that we respect diversity and respect people to live as they wish to live.”

Capital Pride is taking place August 22 – 29. This year’s festival will include both virtual and in-person events, allowing participants to enjoy programming at home and outdoors. This year’s celebrations have the theme – ‘We Still Demand’ – which honours the first large-scale queer rights demonstration in Canada in 1971. You can learn more at capitalpride.ca

To watch the video of the lighting ceremony please check here


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