The pandemic may be ongoing but never fear, for queers are still here this year.

Vancouver Pride Week's event schedule kicks off today (July 27), with the virtual parade to be held on Sunday (August 2). 

While Pride festivities may appear differently from past years, the spirit of Pride carries on, and here are some virtual fun-raising options from other organizations to keep things aloft.

Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation fundraiser

Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation’s annual Pride Cocktail Kick-Off will be taking place this year—but like everything else this year, it’ll be an online affair.

Nibblies are available as Spanish tapas-inspired food kits (either vegan or non-vegan options), along with watermelon mojitos (for four), once again courtesy of The Lazy Gourmet, which has been supporting the event from day one.

The non-vegan option includes Spanish-style seared ahi loin with Spanish olives, garlic prawns, roast sausage, chicken skewers with Spanish potatoes, fried halloumi, spicy mushrooms, and more, along with ruby mousse pops, and cheesecake and brownie bites.

For vegans, there’s kaffir-marinated tofu bites, Beyond Meat bits with Spanish olives, white bean dip with housemade crisps, vegan cashew “cheese”, Spanish potatoes, fire-roasted peppers, and more, with avocado dark chocolate mousse cups to finish things off.

Kits are $150 each and all proceeds go to the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. There’s also a Summerhill Alive organic vegan wine gift set available for $50.

Orders have to be in by 5 p.m. today (July 27) for delivery on Friday (July 31).

So you can party on at home, all guests will receive a link for a kick-off video featuring some words from the organizers, beats from DJs, and—the requisite ingredient for a Pride party—drag performances.

Full details are available at the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation website.

Vancouver Dyke March

While the annual Vancouver Dyke March (VDM) won’t be held in person this year, the VDM is selling two fundraising care packages.

“The current world situation has only worsened the pile of intersecting pressures and abuses faced by BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, people of colour] folks who do not conform to colonial gender identities,” the VDM states.

One package ($20) includes a curated collection of VDM merchandise while the second plus-package ($40) adds in a vintage VDM t-shirt.

Net proceeds will go to Coalition Against Trans Antagonism (CATA)’s Trans Resiliency Fund, which helps Trans BIPOC individuals.

Bonus: the free VDM 2020 zine The Dyke’s Guide to Scissoring (and other activities you can try at home) can also be downloaded for additional celebrations and whatnot. It includes a summer Dyke March playlist, DIY fashion, kitchen gardening tips, queer videogame recommendations, a facemask (with a window for lip-reading and smiles) template, and more. 

Packages can be ordered online for delivery and full details are available at the VDM website.