Calgary Pride’s barring of the city’s biggest post-secondary institution from this year’s parade “is going to impact students.” Wylie Pietsch, vice-president of the University of Calgary’s Graduate Students’ Association, told CTV the GSA is working to lessen that. While the U of C might be expected to sit out for 2026, the students are not. “This decision applies only to the University of Calgary’s institutional participation and branding,” Pride said in a statement on Thursday. “Students, alumni, unions, faculty associations and campus advocacy groups may join independently, so long as they do not use official university logos or represent themselves as acting on behalf of the University of Calgary’s administration.” The GSA said in its own release it’s working with Pride “to ensure students have opportunities to participate in Pride Week and march in the Calgary Pride Parade.” Pietsch said the GSA’s application has been approved. “So, we are right now recruiting people to march at Pride with us,” Pietsch said. “We will be marching at Pride.” U of C’s application declined In its statement, Pride said it declined the U of C’s application for 2026. Pride said the institution could apply again in 2027. The decision reflects “concerns about the university’s response to the pro-Palestinian encampment that was forcibly removed from campus in 2024.” Its decision also reflects “the broader impact of these events on the community after a court case was filed in 2026.” Though Pride noted it had nothing to do with “the Government of Alberta’s Bill 29, the Fairness in Sport Act,” to which “institutions are legally required to comply.” “Calgary Pride is dedicated to ensuring that our celebrations reflect the values, concerns and experiences of our community,” the statement said. The U of C also released a statement saying its participation “will look different this year.” “UCalgary remains committed to supporting LGBTQ2S+ communities and our students,” it said. “We will continue to celebrate Pride Week on campus. Details of those on-campus activities will be announced later this summer.” This year’s Pride Week in Calgary runs Aug. 31 through Sept. 6, with the parade set for Sept. 6. ‘A difficult decision’ Pietsch told CTV he doesn’t imagine Pride’s decision to bar a major post-secondary institution was an easy one. “The University of Calgary is so intertwined with the community,” Pietsch said. “That being said, the university is part of a system that has greatly negatively impacted the queer community and the community in general.” The GSA’s statement said Pride Week is a fixture for many in the community. And with “a strong queer community on campus,” the GSA said Pride Week can be “their first safe opportunity to openly explore and celebrate their identity and connect.” “The 2SLGBTQIA+ community belongs on this campus, in our city and in our province,” it said. The GSA has a parade sign-up available online here. It also has information about supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ students available online here. GSA parade recruitment is also happening through its Instagram page here.
