FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jewish Groups Skip Vancouver Pride March, Over Safety Concerns.

VANCOUVER, BC | Sunday, August 2, 2026 — Jewish Federation of British Columbia (JFBC) and The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) brought a digital truck into the Vancouver Pride Parade today to amplify the voices of queer Jews who do no longer feel safe marching openly as Jews.

The truck displayed rotating messages including: “Jewish. Queer. Proud”., “Diversity Includes Jews”, “Being Jewish at Pride shouldn’t be controversial. But here we are.”, and “No one should have to choose between celebrating Pride and feeling safe”.

For many years, queer Jewish organizations and community members participated openly in Pride celebrations across British Columbia. This year, after hearing from community members who no longer felt comfortable marching visibly as Jews, JFBC and CIJA chose a digital billboard to ensure their voices remained part of Pride.

Caryl Dolinko, Director of Communications and Marketing at Jewish Federation of British Columbia, who has spent decades involved in the Pride movement and LGBTQ+ community, said the decision to not march was deeply personal. “Our absence from marching is not because we do not believe in Pride. It is because we believe deeply in what Pride was created to represent: the right for every person to show up as their full and authentic self.”

“Pride has always represented the belief that people should not have to hide who they are or choose between parts of their identity,” said Dolinko. “Since October 7, many queer Jews have faced a painful reality: some spaces that once felt welcoming no longer feel safe or inclusive.”

"I've marched at Pride for years, and this year I didn’t feel safe enough to do it," said one queer Jewish community member, who asked not to be named out of concern for her safety. "It shouldn't feel like a risk to be visibly Jewish at an event about acceptance."

“We look forward to the day when queer Jews can march again alongside our friends, allies and community members, celebrating Pride without fear and without having to choose between being Jewish and being queer,” said Ezra Shanken, CEO, Jewish Federation of British Columbia.

Vancouver Pride organizers have stated that the Jewish community is welcome to participate in Pride. The concerns are not about Pride organizers, but about whether they can safely display visible Jewish or Israeli symbols without facing hostility or harassment from individuals along the parade route. JFBC and CIJA hope the campaign encourages conversations about ensuring Pride remains a place where everyone—including queer Jews can participate openly, safely and proud.