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PRIDE GALA & GARDEN SOIREE
Join us for the 3rd Annual HEDR Pride Gala & Soiree, an unforgettable evening celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the power of community. Taking place on June 26, 2025, at the Art Gallery of Burlington, this premier event will bring together community leaders, corporate partners, and advocates for a night of glamour, entertainment, and impact.
This year, we are fundraising for the Braver Spaces Certification Program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide training for 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive workplaces and spaces across Halton Region.
Lolita Banana
Lolita Banana started her career as a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race France and a drag artist, is openly HIV-positive. She is currently the host of Drag Race Mexico. She has shared her experience living with HIV and has been an advocate for U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable), meaning that people living with HIV who are on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) and have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV.
Lady Kero
Lady Kero is a Mexican drag performer and one of the contestants on the first season of Drag Race México. She would later be crowned Miss Congeniality at the reunion by her fellow castmates. She was also featured on Netflix's Secrets of the River, a story about Mexico's Muxe culture.
WHAT ARE BRAVER SPACES?
HEDR is raising funds to develop the Braver Spaces Certification Program, an initiative designed to help organizations move beyond traditional Positive Spaces and take meaningful action toward equity, inclusion, and systemic change. While Positive Spaces focus on creating welcoming environments for equity-deserving communities, Braver Spaces challenge individuals and organizations to engage in difficult conversations, confront systemic barriers, and commit to continuous learning and accountability.
A Braver Space is not just about making people feel welcome—it is about actively dismantling exclusionary systems and creating environments where individuals and organizations take responsibility for equity and justice. In a Braver Space, people are encouraged to have uncomfortable but necessary conversations about power, privilege, and oppression. Organizations commit to long-term structural changes, rather than one-time training sessions or symbolic gestures of support.
This work is critical because true inclusion requires more than good intentions—it demands action, reflection, and accountability. Organizations that commit to Braver Spaces see benefits such as stronger workplace cultures, increased employee retention, and improved policies that reflect the needs of diverse communities. By fostering these spaces, we can ensure that inclusion is not just a statement but a lived reality.
Your support will help us develop a comprehensive certification program that includes training, resources, and mentorship for organizations at different stages of their DEI journey. Funds raised will go toward creating toolkits, self-assessment frameworks, implementation guides, and a certification process that provides accountability and recognition. This program will equip organizations with the skills and strategies to make real, lasting change.
Join us in making Braver Spaces a reality. Your contribution will help build workplaces and communities where equity isn’t just encouraged—it’s embedded in everything we do. Donate today and be part of this transformative movement!
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
ABOUT THE EVENT
Gala Dinner & VIP Show (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
Experience an unforgettable evening of fine dining, entertainment, and cultural insight. Hosted by the charismatic Lolita Banana- host of Drag Race Mexico, this exclusive event features a captivating performance and discussion on gender and HIV advocacy.
The evening highlights Lady Kero, a proud Muxe from Oaxaca, known for her appearances on Drag Race México and Netflix’s Secrets of the River. Through storytelling and lived experience, she will offer a deeper understanding of gender diversity within Indigenous Zapotec communities.
Drag Show (9:00 PM – Late)
Prepare for a dazzling cultural exchange as Canadian and Mexican drag royalty take the stage in a breathtaking celebration of talent, artistry, and pride. Experience a spectacular showcase of electrifying performances that blend creativity, culture, and fierce self-expression.
Join us in honoring love, diversity, and community, while supporting a groundbreaking initiative that will shape the future of inclusivity in Halton. This is more than just a show—it’s a movement. Don’t miss this extraordinary night of entertainment, advocacy, and impact!
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.