Welcome to Barrie Pride!

Barrie Pride was founded in 2013 and became a federally-incorporated not-for-profit in 2018. We exist to promote equity and inclusion for all 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals within our city by creating safe and fun experiences, delivering impactful programming, and offering a multitude of volunteer experiences - all while educating our allies and advocating for justice for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

We at Barrie Pride also humbly and gratefully acknowledge that we live on and occupy native land. This area is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg people who include Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi Nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. Previous to the 17th century, the Wendat (or the Huron Nation) was sheltered by and stewarded these lands

PROGRAMS

It's not all about parades and glitter. Barrie Pride runs a number of different programs and services throughout the year that fill bellies, engage mind and body, and empower our community.

DONATE

As a volunteer-run not-for-profit, Barrie Pride is almost completely funded by donations and sponsorships. Every dollar is invested directly back into the community, and any amount makes a difference. We also love to collaborate on events and fundraisers!You can donate to us directly by sending an eTransfer to [email protected]

VOLUNTEER

We're always looking for passionate and dedicated folks to add to our volunteer staff. Whether you want to help out for a couple of hours at the festival, begin an apprenticeship to join the board, or literally anything in between, we want to hear from you.All year-round volunteers must pass a vulnerable sector check.

Upcoming Events:April 16th - 8:00pm
Monthly Sociable @ C.W. Coop's!May 17th
Rainbow Treats for Change!May 21st - 8:00pm
Monthly Sociable @ C.W. Coop's!June 20 - 21
Barrie Pride Weekend 2026!!!

Programs

Aside from annual events, Barrie Pride runs a number of different programs and services throughout the year. that fill bellies, engage mind and body, and empower our community.

Pride Pantry is a food security program created to provide financial support in the form of grocery store gift cards to Barrie's 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families facing a one-time financial crisis, or who are experiencing socioeconomic hardship on an ongoing basis. It is entirely funded by donations and by the generous sponsorship of the AlectraCARES Community Support Program.

Pride Positive Places is a community anti-discrimination, inclusivity oath program. It highlights local safe spaces, and holds accountable the businesses and organizations found to be a concern or a threat to our community. See the list by clicking above or here.

The Barrie Pride Transgender Wellness Fund is an annual fund that can be applied towards mental health support, gender-affirming gear, shelter, addictions services, and more. Click or tap above to learn more.

Pride positive places

Pride Positive Places is a community anti-discrimination, inclusivity oath program. It highlights local safe spaces, and holds accountable the businesses and organizations found to be a concern or a threat to our community.Below you can find the complete list of businesses, services, and organizations that have pledged to actively keep members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community safe. You can also explore an interactive map of all Pride Positive Places in Simcoe County that have a physical location.To view the map on mobile, click here.

About Barrie Pride

Mission

Barrie Pride exists to promote equity and inclusion for all 2SLGBTQIA+ in our community by creating safe and fun experiences, while educating our allies and advocating justice for 2SLGBTQIA+

Vision

Our Vision is equity and acceptance as who we are.Barrie Pride will achieve this vision through 2SLGBTQIA+ education and advocacy events, building community partnerships and collaborating in charitable efforts that support us all.

Values

1. Equity – the state of being fair and impartial, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.2. Justice – a concern for justice, peace, and genuine respect for people.3. Integrity– the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.4. Progress – the advance or development toward a better, more complete, or more modern condition.5. Empathy – the ability to understand and sympathize with the feelings of others; fellowship and togetherness.

Director
Jessie Lawson

Development Director
Phoenix White

Creative Director
Brodi Mears

Event Support & First-Aid
Sam Ola

__Financial Director
Gillian Marsden

Event Support
Izzy

trans* wellness + shelter fund

The fund is currently closed and actively seeking financial partners. If you would like to donate to the Trans* Wellness Fund please email [email protected] for more information on becoming a benefactor today.

The Barrie Pride Trans* Wellness & Shelter Fund is a fund that can be applied towards mental health support, gender-affirming gear, shelter, addictions services, and more.It was created to highlight a lack of funding for progressive mental health resources for transgender people that support trans-specific mental health, self-care support, psycho-educational programs, self improvement initiatives, wellness techniques, health related projects, and addictions services, as well as their associated costs.

FAQ:Who can apply for funding?Transgender individuals who are experiencing mental health hardship who want to attend a mental health, self-care support, psycho-educational program, self improvement initiative, wellness technique, addiction services and/or participate in health related projects.What programs and costs are eligible for funding?Eligible programs include mental health, self care support, psycho-educational program, self improvement initiative, wellness technique, addiction service and/or health related projects, and must be clearly recognized as health oriented. Associated costs, such as travel and accommodation are also eligible. Examples of organizations or professionals with applicable programs include, but are not limited to:- Couchiching Family Health Team
- Rainbow Health Ontario
- Trans Wellness Ontario
- ARCH Guelph
- Jampa Ling Kadampa Buddhist CentreThe organization offering the mental health, self care support, psycho-educational program, self improvement initiative, wellness technique, addictions service and/or health related project must be fully insured, compliant with Ontario's human rights code and all other applicable laws, and be in good standing in the community. The Trans* Wellness Fund is awarded at the discretion of Barrie Pride and the funding is paid directly to the organization offering the program or service.

get involved

We're always looking for passionate and dedicated folks to add to our all-volunteer staff. Whether you want to help out for a couple of hours at the festival, begin an apprenticeship to join the board, or literally anything in between, we want to hear from you.All year-round volunteers must pass a vulnerable sector check.


We have a particular need for the following positions:
- Social Media Support
- Fundraiser(s)
- Program Support
- Event Support
- Volunteer Recruitment


If you are interested, send an email to [email protected] to introduce yourself, and answer the following questions:1) Why do you want to join Barrie Pride?
2) What does Pride mean to you personally?


We can't wait to hear from you!

Partners in pride ontario

Partners in Pride Ontario (PiPO) is a regional 2SLGBTQIA+ support and solidarity group of grassroots, not for profit, leaders, chairs, founders, and service providers. If you are a provider, founder or leader of an equity and advocacy group for 2SLGBTQIA+ and you would like to exchange resources and support with others like you, please email [email protected]

Current Members
Barrie Pride
Borden Pride Network
Caledon Pride
Collingwood Pride
Good Works Agency Stratford
Guelph Out On The Shelf
Innisfil Pride
Kincardine Pride
North Bay PFLAG
Orangeville Pride / Celebrate Your Awesome
The Ridge Resort and Campground
UPlift Black
York Pride

resources

Rainbow Health Ontario, based out of Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto, is a wealth of information and resources for all things healthcare. Search databases for service providers, browse the trans health knowledge base, get screened, and much much more.Barrie Pride is proud to be sponsored by, and to promote, Rainbow Health Ontario and their Be Seen, Get Screened 2SLGBTQIA+ Cancer Screening Program.➡ Service Provider Directory
➡ Publications & Resources
➡ Education & Training Opportunities

Local Resources

Pride Organizations
- Barrie Pride {Facebook} {Instagram}- Collingwood Pride {Facebook} {Instagram}- Fierte Simcoe Pride {Facebook} {Instagram}- The Gilbert Centre {Facebook} {Instagram}- Innisfil Pride {Facebook} {Instagram}- Orillia/Lake Country Pride {Facebook} {Instagram}- UPlift Black {Facebook} {Instagram}

Proud by UPlift Black
- Peer Support
- Pride and Cultural community events
- Professional Development and Networking
- Community Advocacy
- Arts Programs
- BIPOC YOUth 2SLGBTQI+ Teen programs

PFLAG Barrie-Simcoe County
Email: [email protected]
Facebook group
Instagram

Samaritan House
The Samaritan House Resource Centre offers a safe comfortable place where families can enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea and relax while selecting from various articles of clothing and household items, linens, etc., at no charge. Donations of clothing items, linen, and towels are always welcome in the Resource Centre which is open in the lower level of Burton Avenue United Church (37 Burton Avenue).Hours of Operation
Monday - Wednesday, 1pm - 3pm

BARRIE PRIDE WEEKEND 2026

More Details Coming Soon!

This year we’ll see you in downtown Barrie on SATURDAY JUNE 20TH and SUNDAY JUNE 21ST! We are super excited to get things started this year, so prepare for a weekend full of rainbow joy! Lots in the works, more to be announced soon… stay tuned!Come back to this page for updates on:
- schedules!
- registration!
- volunteer opportunities!
- our sponsors!and much more over the coming weeks!

RAINBOW TREATS FOR CHANGE

Do you want some extra publicity while helping your community at the same time? Barrie Pride is looking for local bakeries/restaurants RIGHT NOW to participate in a program called "Rainbow Treats for Change", in which local businesses create, sell, and promote a Pride or rainbow-themed product either on, or in the week leading up to, Sunday May 17th, 2026.Learn more about the event below, and if you want to participate, email us at [email protected] TODAY!

How it works:
1) Participants make, bake, and decorate a yummy rainbow-themed treat to sell for one day of fundraising, on May 17th, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia! 🧁🍪🥮🍰🍭🍧 They are also welcome to sell for up to a week before, and we will promote and hype them up to our thousands of social media followers!2) Community members visit different eateries, bakeries, and restaurants around town to purchase rainbow treats, and enjoy them with friends and loved ones!3) Participants can decide whether to donate 50% or 100% of the proceeds specifically from their rainbow treats to Barrie Pride, which contributes directly to the 2026 Barrie Pride celebration on June 20/21st!!!It’s a fun day full of sweet joy and giving back, all in honour of solidarity and visibility for queer youth and individuals in your community. Visit may17.org to learn more about IDAHOBIT, and stay tuned to this page and our social media for all the details about the event as they are announced, including a map of participants.More details to come, page under construction :-)