Welcome to Halifax

The province’s capital, Halifax combines the international essence of a major port city and naval base, with the youthful vibe of a university town, and the culture and heritage of one of Canada’s most historic communities. Halifax is rich with museums, galleries, and heritage centres. Halifax is one of Canada’s premiere destinations for happening events and festivals. All across the calendar there are annual celebrations of music, literature, art and sport.

Nightlife in the city can’t be beat. The pub and club atmosphere is bustling. Casino Nova Scotia brings the thrill of gaming and great live entertainment to the waterfront year-round. There's no better shopping east of Montreal than you'll find in Halifax. Browse unique eclectic boutiques found on Spring Garden Road and the Hydrostone Market, the outlets in Bayers Lake or the Maritime flavour in the restored heritage buildings of Historic Properties that house food and retail stores. As a base for exploring the rest of the province or a vacation destination in and of itself, Halifax is a seaside city like no other.

Approximately 40 years ago, an organization was formed in Halifax that went by the name GATE (Gay Alliance Towards Equality). GATE went on to become GALA (Halifax's Gay and Lesbian Association), and then GAE the Gay Alliance for Equality.  GAE/GALA owned and operated The Turret and later Rumours.  Rumours, like The Turret, was owned and operated by the Society, for the gay community.  This allowed the group to have substantial amounts of cash for community projects.

When Rumors moved to Old Vogue Theatre on Gottingen Street, today’s heart of Halifax’s Gay Village, there was a hope the space would become a community center - and it sort-of did. The Projection Room was a very functional meeting room. 

The basement worked as a fairly nice office for the GayLine.  The Halifax Gayline opened in 1972 and ceased operations in 1996 after providing a quarter century of information, counseling and referral service to the gay/lesbian/bisexual communities.  It was staffed by trained volunteers and was funded by GAE/GALA.

Halifax Pride 2010 is honored to have early members of GAE/GALA as Parade Marshalls.  We recognize the 40 years that they have been fighting for the rights of the Nova Scotia Rainbow Community.   Halifax Pride thanks those who paved the way for our community and made the strides that allow us today to feel “free to be”.