Okanagan Pride has announced its theme for the 2017 Pride-week festival鈥斺�淪hine Bright鈥濃�攁 play upon one of the world鈥檚 most precious gems.

鈥淎lthough there has been Pride celebrations in 91大黄鸭 for more than two decades, 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of celebrations under the banner of Okanagan Pride鈥攐ur diamond anniversary,鈥� says Dustyn Baulkham, president of the Okanagan Pride Society. 鈥淲hen we thought about diamonds, we realized they really reflect members of the LGBT2Q+ community. They鈥檙e strong, unbreakable and totally unique. It鈥檚 only natural we landed on the Shine Bright theme. Plus there鈥檚 no other week in the year that our community shines more than Okanagan Pride.鈥�

Along with the theme, the tentative schedule for Okanagan Pride, running Aug 12 to 19, was released. Activities include a kick-off launch party, a mid-week golf tournament, and a march and social event for the trans community and its supporters. The final weekend of Pride closes with the ever-popular Kings &Queens of the Okanagan Annual Drag Competition, now in its sixth year, the family-friendly Pride march along 91大黄鸭鈥檚 waterfront and Festival in the Park, plus a wrap-up party.

The Okanagan Pride Society hopes to fill the rest of the week with grassroots queer events from the community.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking for community groups, organizations and businesses to come forward and host affiliate events,鈥� says Baulkham. 鈥淲e鈥檇 love to make new connections in the community and develop new partnerships that will advance the Pride movement within the Valley.鈥�

Even if hosting an affiliate event isn鈥檛 the right fit, Baulkham says there鈥檚 plenty other ways to get involved with Pride including sponsorship, vendor spots and the first ever official Pride Guide.

鈥淲e wanted to introduce a few initiatives this year to commemorate the anniversary,鈥� says Baulkham. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 wait to finalize our events, line-up some great talent and get the city out for a week of education and celebration. It鈥檚 going to be an amazing opportunity for the LGBT2Q+ community, our allies and our entire city to shine!鈥�