Surrey Pride flag raised for fourth consecutive year
Community celebrates at City Hall on June 19; Surrey Pride Festival follows Saturday with free admission.
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The vibes were high outside Surrey City Hall Friday, June 19, as the mayor and community members raised the progress Pride flag on the city flagpole for the fourth consecutive year.
Two dozen community members from local 2SLGBTQIA+ groups — including Surrey Pride, Sher Vancouver, and Surrey Rainbow Project — gathered alongside Mayor Brenda Locke, Councillor Pardeep Kooner, and Senator Baltej Dhillon.
The flag raising held particular significance following recent vandalism. A few weeks prior, the rainbow crosswalk less than 400 metres from City Hall was defaced with black spray paint. One individual has since been arrested and charges forwarded to the Crown.
"Because of what just happened at the crosswalk, it's really important that we have a show of unity and solidarity around this flag, because we won't be stifled, we're not going anywhere, and we stand here proud, because love is love, and believe me, you'll never get rid of us," said Surrey Pride president Donald Crowe.
Sher Vancouver president Annie Ohana echoed the sentiment. "After a rough couple of weeks, where once again we saw a hate crime be committed like steps away from here, this means everything to have a city that has our back. We can be loud, and we belong. We belong in Surrey. We belong everywhere."
Mayor Locke said, "Surrey is a city where everybody matters," thanking attendees for their work to ensure "Surrey is an inclusive city for everyone."
Crowe emphasized the flag's importance for younger people. "It shows that there is space for them, and we're looking at a community that is being harassed right now because of SOGI stuff, and they need to know that we have their backs and that they belong."
The city issued a proclamation declaring June 2026 "2SLGBTQ+(Rainbow Community) Pride Month in the City of Surrey," stating: "There is no room in our city for homophobia, trans phobia, drag phobia or any kind of hate towards marginalized peoples, Indigenous peoples, people of colour and other minorities."
On Saturday, June 20, Surrey Pride hosts its 27th annual Surrey Pride Festival from noon to 7 p.m. at Central City plaza. Admission is free. The family-friendly event features vendors, speeches, dance, and good vibes. Details posted at surreypride.ca/surrey-pride-festival-2026.