Capital Pride faces calls to reinstate its pro-Palestinian statement, removed from its website ahead of Ottawa’s 2025 Pride Month.
Capital Pride’s Website Update Sparks Debate
Capital Pride, the organization behind Ottawa’s annual Pride Month celebrations, removed a pro-Palestinian solidarity statement from its website ahead of this year’s events. The group said the decision was part of a broader “online refresh” focused on the 2025 theme, “We are the village.”
Advocacy Groups Call for Reinstatement
Queers for Palestine, which says it represents 70 allied organizations, is leading a campaign to have the statement restored. Group member Masha Davidovic argued that Pride must reflect solidarity with marginalized communities, calling last year’s backlash “bullying and censoring” from outside organizations.
Controversy Rooted in Last Year’s Statement
The solidarity message first appeared during Pride Month 2024 and included four commitments: recognition of what it called “genocide in Gaza,” reviewing sponsors against boycott lists, hosting a queer Arab showcase, and urging a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. The statement drew sharp criticism from several institutions, including the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, which labeled it antisemitic and withdrew from the parade.
Institutional Boycotts Followed
The fallout extended beyond the Jewish Federation. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, local hospitals, school boards, and the Liberal Party of Canada distanced themselves from Capital Pride events. Many pulled sponsorships, citing concern that the statement politicized Pride in a divisive way.
Capital Pride Defends Its Position
Capital Pride executive director Callie Metler said the removal of the statement does not mean the organization has abandoned its principles. Instead, she stressed the need to highlight unity in response to growing attacks on 2SLGBTQ rights in Canada and the United States. “The principles and values expressed in that statement continue to guide the organizing of the 2025 festival,” Metler explained.
Jewish Federation Signals Return
In a shift from last year, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa has confirmed it will return to this year’s Pride parade. Federation president Adam Silver said ongoing dialogue with Capital Pride leadership helped restore confidence. “We are encouraged by Capital Pride’s focus on ensuring every member of Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQ+ community can participate safely and with dignity, including those who are proudly Jewish,” he noted.
Tensions Remain Ahead of Pride Month
As Pride Month approaches, Capital Pride faces pressure to navigate competing expectations. For some, the pro-Palestinian message symbolizes protest and solidarity; for others, it represents a divisive political stance. Whether the statement will return to the website remains uncertain, but the debate underscores the broader struggle over how Pride should balance activism with inclusivity.
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