RRU Pride 2026: Campus gatherings and citywide celebration
Royal Roads University is marking Pride 2026 with a range of activities that bring together students, faculty, staff, and the broader community through both virtual and in-person events across late June and July.
Keep track of all the activities over on our Pride page: RRU Pride in the Community.
Beginning June 22, current RRU students outside Southern Vancouver Island are invited to participate by wearing an RRU Pride T-shirt at their local Pride events. Students are encouraged to share photos or tag @RRUStudentServices on Instagram, using the hashtag #RRUProud to show us where you are in your shirt!
On July 8, RRU will host the virtual keynote “From Comfort to Courage: Leading Through Times of Change” from 10 to 11 a.m. (PT). The session features Coltan Fagan, RRU doctoral candidate and post-secondary educator and researcher, who will share insights from his personal journey and academic work focused on inclusion and advocacy. The talk explores how speaking up and stepping outside of comfort zones can create meaningful change. This online event is free and open to the public; please register to receive the event link.
The keynote reflects Royal Roads’ ongoing commitment to advancing inclusion and supporting diverse communities, particularly in a time of evolving challenges and conversations.
“We are living in times where inclusion initiatives and 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are facing growing challenges. At Royal Roads, we remain committed to fostering a community where everyone feels heard, seen and valued,” said RRU President Philip Steenkamp. While Pride Week is a special moment of recognition, our commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities is year-round — because creating a welcoming, affirming space for everyone is work we carry forward every day.”
The following day, July 9, the university community is invited to gather on campus for the RRU Pride Social 2026, held from noon to 2 p.m. at the Sherman Jen Building. The in-person event will include refreshments, live entertainment, and interactive tables hosted by RRU Proud and the Diversity Action Group. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the celebration of diversity and inclusion and to connect with ongoing initiatives within the RRU community, and to wear any colourful outfit and join in the celebration!
The Pride festivities conclude with RRU’s participation in the Victoria Pride Parade on July 12 from 8 a.m. to noon. Students, employees, family members, and friends are all invited to join the RRU contingent in downtown Victoria and walk the parade route behind the RRU vehicle decked out in Pride gear. If you want to walk in the parade, plan to meet in Centennial Square before joining the parade route. The event welcomes a wide range of participants and encourages a safe, inclusive, and environmentally mindful celebration.
Together, these events offer multiple ways for the RRU community to take part in Pride, whether online, on campus, or across the city. Visit the RRU Pride page for upcoming community events, videos, resources and more.