Beausejour among rural communities to experience first-ever Pride event: Eastman Pride

Eastman Pride on Memorial Boulevard for the 2025 Winnipeg Pride Parade on June 1, 2025. (CTV News Winnipeg)

Several rural communities in Manitoba are set to experience their first-ever Pride event this summer, according to a grassroots organization.

Kathy Majowski, one of the founding members of Eastman Pride, said an upcoming Pride event in Beausejour—a town of over 3,000 people approximately 50 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg—will be the first for the rural community on June 29.

Black River, River Hills, Lac du Bonnet and Victoria Beach are also scheduled to experience their first-ever events.

Majowski said the volunteer-based group was founded last year following a lack of Pride events in the Eastman region of the province.

She said the “last straw” came after one community member was “intimidated” last year into cancelling Pride festivities after it reached their community council.

“We’re trying to make things more inclusive and more welcoming in the rural communities,” said Majowski.

“Some of the really loud negative voices, they exist, they’re in our communities, but they are very much in the minority.”

Majowski said that all events will be family-friendly, suitable for all ages and will include a walk and community barbecue. Certain events will feature guest speakers, music, a drag queen, Dykes on Bikes and a marching band, based on availability.

The group, which has grown to nearly 50 members, has received financial support from Manitoba Pride Alliance and assistance from other organizations, according to Majowski.

Eastman Pride already held events earlier this month alongside Sagkeeng First Nation, including the first-ever Pride event at Powerview-Pine Falls.

“As we keep going and meeting folks in the community, our organization gets bigger and bigger,” she said. “It’s just so wonderful to see that folks are not just willing to support it, but actually want to be involved.

“Just because you may not see it on a day-to-day basis in the rural area, there is so much support for the queer community. It has honestly been overwhelming.”

More details on Eastman Pride’s events, including dates and times, can be seen on the group’s Facebook or Instagram account.

An earlier version of this article said that Eastman Pride hosted a Pride event in Springfield. In fact, members of Eastman Pride only attended the event organized by Springfield Pride.