March with Pride 2026

Since 2012, Mount Royal University has partnered with Calgary Pride to celebrate love, acceptance, inclusion and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at the annual Calgary Pride Parade.

Calgary Pride is a not-for-profit organization that exists to promote equality and celebrate Calgary’s diversity. Their vision is a city free from discrimination against gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. Pride Week takes place from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, and will include performances, two-spirit arts and a ceremony, family and youth celebrations, a queer arts market, a fundraiser gala and more. The week culminates in the iconic Pride Parade, to take place on Sunday, Sept. 6.

As a long-time proud sponsor of the Pride Parade, MRU is pleased to invite all to march with pride on Sept. 6.

This is a great opportunity to start the academic year by celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ students, faculty and employees, demonstrating Mount Royal’s commitment to community and belonging.

Sign up to march with fellow MRU community members in the 2026 Pride Parade.

Find your MRU Pride swag at the Cougars Campus Store.

Learn more about mru.ca/Pride.

Pride matters

Tim Rahilly, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor
Mount Royal University

“I attended my first Pride very tentatively as a young man trying to understand where I fit in. What I witnessed was a celebration and affirmation of a broad range of sexual and gender identities. Each year, Pride reminds us of how far we've come, while recognizing that there is still work to do to ensure everyone can live openly, safely and authentically. It gives me hope when I see the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and our allies coming together in support of one another. So, whether you're a member of the community or an ally, I encourage you to come out to Pride, support one another, and build a community where everyone belongs.”

Moussa Magassa, PhD
Associate Vice-President
Office of Community and Belonging

"Pride matters because it reminds us of the enduring power of community, belonging and mutual care. It celebrates the diversity, resilience and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals  — including our two-spirit, trans and non-binary youth — and reaffirms our shared responsibility to foster environments where everyone is welcomed, respected and able to thrive. As a university community, we are enriched by the diversity of identities, experiences and perspectives that each person brings, and we remain committed to building a campus where everyone has the opportunity to belong."

Gloria Sesay
Pride and Healthy Relationships Coordinator
Students’ Association of Mount Royal University

“Pride is important as it reminds us of the value of community care. The dedication that so many have made in advocating for queer rights, the ways that we protect and hold each other in the face of homophobia and transphobia throughout history. While Pride is a celebration of queer joy, it’s also a reminder for us to continue to protect the community all year.”

MRU 2SLGBTQIA+ supports and resources

The Students’ Association of Mount Royal University's (SAMRU) Pride Centre is dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive and celebratory environment for people of all genders and sexual orientations and holds regular events throughout the academic year.

SAMRU’s Peer Support Centre is a transformative community based upon shared dignity, caring, and trust. The After-Hours Peer Support Centre offers free, confidential, compassionate and non-judgmental support for any student in crisis or distress outside of regular working hours and often when it is needed most.

Wellness Services provides a number of resources to those requiring assistance, including sexual health resources.

The Pride Scholarship is awarded to a full-time student in their second or third year and is based on academic achievement and demonstrated positive contributions in the 2SLGBTQ2+ community.