James Kane is a notable figure in the history of Winnipeg’s queer community. He participated in the first Pride parade in 1987, at a time when taking a public stand for equal rights required real courage.
The social pressure of the era forced one of his friends to conceal his identity. “He wasn’t out and marched with a paper bag over his head.”
His friend was a city police officer.
“There were a few that marched in the parade, but none did so without putting a paper bag over their head.”
Years later, some in what’s now called the Rainbow community began labelling police as “oppressors” and called for their exclusion from the parade.
“I had a different perspective because of my (police) friends who had the courage to march. I was ostracized by many people for saying they should be able to walk in the parade — because we’re supposed to be celebrating diversity.”
Last year, those principles of inclusion were again put to the test — and both LGBTQ+ organizations leading Pride celebrations failed to uphold them.
Activists aligned with the far left used opening weekend events to call for the exclusion of Jews, Israelis, and those considered “Zionist allies,” based on a politically charged interpretation of the war involving Hamas.
As reported by the Winnipeg Sun, a drag performance at the Rainbow Resource Centre (RRC) gala featured a “No Pride in Genocide” banner, fundraising for an unnamed “Palestinian fund,” and chants against Israel. These actions took place during a public event hosted by a taxpayer-funded organization.
“It was on the projection screens, the crowd cheering like a rally,” a witness told me. With only one exit, several queer Jewish attendees felt unsafe. The RRC’s executive director offered no apology.
“I have confirmed that the messages at the event relating to Gaza were entirely within the artistic performance and content of drag performers,” said Noreen Main. “Nothing I witnessed on Saturday was racist or antisemitic.”
The following day at the Pride parade, a float owned by a Jewish business faced harassment for displaying a Star of David. Another float carried a “Free Palestine” banner. A 9-year-old Jewish child was reportedly yelled at about “genocide.” Protesters blocked the parade at Portage and Fort, chanting “From the River to the Sea” — a slogan many view as calling for the end of the Israeli state.
After a roughly 40-minute delay, Pride Winnipeg organizers allowed the group to speak on the Main Stage, where they delivered statements accusing Israel of apartheid and white supremacy — despite the fact that over half of Israel’s population is non-white.
In response, members of the local Jewish LGBTQ+ community formed the Jewish Rainbow Coalition. Some were original participants in Winnipeg’s early Pride movement.
The coalition conducted over 50 interviews and spent 350 hours compiling a report that documented the failure of both Pride Winnipeg and the Rainbow Resource Centre to address antisemitic incidents and adhere to their own stated values on inclusion and safety.
Letters were sent to both boards in September, detailing the incidents and offering support in rebuilding trust with the Jewish community. Their requests included a zero-tolerance policy for hate, mandatory antisemitism training for staff and volunteers, and a public apology.
There were limited discussions with a subcommittee representing Jewish leadership, but no clear commitments were made. As of now, Jewish performers, volunteers, and attendees have no written assurance of safety at this year’s events.
With the RRC Gala set for May 31 and the Pride parade on June 1, I contacted both organizations to ask what actions had been taken.
The Rainbow Resource Centre did not respond before deadline. Its published Code of Conduct does not mention zero tolerance or an anti-hate policy. I’ve been told that some queer and trans Jewish youth now feel unsafe accessing RRC’s counselling services. That should concern everyone.
Board chair Matthew Cutler is also a Vice-President at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It has been suggested that, like the CMHR, the organization may be affected by internal staff politics. Its union, CUPE, has repeatedly taken hardline positions against Israel, including questioning its legitimacy as a Jewish state.
Pride Winnipeg responded with reassurances. But under closer review, the response appeared more symbolic than concrete.
“Pride Winnipeg is deeply committed to the safety and dignity of all participants,” wrote president Barry Karlenzig. “In preparation for this year’s events, we have strengthened our security protocols… actions that cross into hate speech or jeopardize safety are not acceptable.”
He added, “Pride Winnipeg does not support or platform antisemitic content or partisan political messaging… All parade participants must sign and adhere to a Code of Conduct… Our updated Code of Conduct and Anti-Hate Policy are publicly available.”
However, a review of the organization’s website found no Anti-Hate Policy, no reference to zero tolerance, and no clear safeguards ensuring protection for the public, performers, or volunteers. The only signed document appears to be a respectful workplace policy — required of management, not event participants.
One omission was striking. While Pride Winnipeg recently apologized to local artists for using AI to design a promotional logo, it has not publicly acknowledged the harm caused to Jewish participants last year.
James Kane reflected on what he witnessed. Given the longstanding contributions of Jewish activists to LGBTQ+ rights in Winnipeg — including protests against Anita Bryant a decade before the first Pride parade — he was disappointed.
“I know there were a lot of generous donors — prominent members of society. Maybe they were gay, maybe they weren’t, but they helped make life easier for our community,” he said. “Live and let live would be my message.”
True inclusion means protecting everyone. It’s time for the Rainbow Resource Centre and Pride Winnipeg to act with the same courage shown by past advocates — to apologize, rebuild trust, and make sure this year it’s “Jews in, Jew-haters out.”
— Marty Gold is a Winnipeg journalist and a guest writer for the Winnipeg Sun. You can find more of his work at The Great Canadian Talk Show. The article first appeared in the Winnipeg Sun.