What is the history of Pride in the Yukon?

The landscape for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Yukon has changed over the past decades along with elsewhere in Canada.

The 1990s

In 1990, the Yukon Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) is established. Despite the name, the mission statement is broad and includes trans people.

The early 2000s

In 2004, the Yukon becomes the 4th jurisdiction in Canada to legalize same-sex marriage following a Yukon Supreme Court decision in favour of Stephen Dunbar and Rob Edge.

The 2010s

  • In 2011, Queer Yukon is established and would later in 2013 hold its first Pride events. Stephanie Hammond and other volunteers begin organizing events for the community under the banner of Queer Yukon.

  • In 2012 the Yukon Queer Film Alliance is established and, to this day, continues to host festivals and events.

  • In 2013, the Trans Yukon Facebook group is established as a place to share information and resources.

  • 2014 the Yukon began to recognize same-sex parents on birth certificates.

  • In 2015, All Genders Yukon is established and the City of Whitehorse adopted and mandated for its employees LGBTQ2+ workplace training.

  • In 2019, Yukon LGBTQ students prepare petition and successfully lobby for a ban on conversion therapy in the territory.

The 2020s

In 2020, Queer Yukon Society hires its first paid staff and begins the process establishing Pride Centres and offering year-round services.

In 2022, Queer Yukon community spaces in Whitehorse, Dawson City and Watson Lake open for regular drop-in programming.

See something missing? Send us an email! We’d love your help to document our community history.