Hosting events that celebrate the diversity of our communities, including that of our employees and our surrounding community, is something we are passionate about.

The last week of July in Vancouver is PRIDE week, which celebrates the 2SLGBTQAI+ communities. Residents and employees at Tapestry at Arbutus Walk “celebrated in style” this year with a rooftop event on a beautiful, hot and sunny day that included a delicious barbeque lunch, rainbow-themed decorations and accessories, and a performance by local drag queen, The Real Human Girl.

Prior to the event, residents could view a documentary style film called The History of Drag, produced by History Tea Time with Lindsay Holiday, which details the ancient history and development of drag performance, fashion and culture over the years.

The film includes the contrast between long-term and widespread acceptance of “cross dressing” for artistic/acting purposes, with the criminalization of activities deemed to be homosexual – even wearing a certain number of clothing items not aligned with a person’s sex assigned at birth.

While persecution of members of the 2SLGBTQAI+ communities is sadly still happening around the world, in our Tapestry communities we embrace employees and residents of all backgrounds, cultures, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation and language, reaffirming that Tapestry is a safe, warm and welcoming place for all to call home.

As our Senior Vice President Adena Waffle says, celebrating PRIDE is one way “to honour and celebrate diversity, support inclusion, and underscore that love is both ageless and timeless.”

“I believe this message has never been more critical than it is today,” Adena adds. “It is important that we reinforce our support for the 2SLGBTQAI+ communities while continuing to honour and celebrate what makes us different recognizing that our uniqueness contributes to a stronger collective when anchored by tolerance, love and a focus on our shared humanity.”

In 2022, Tapestry was honoured to be the first seniors’ community to participate in Vancouver’s annual PRIDE parade. “PRIDE events are some of the favourite annual activities for our employees,” says Amanda Davis, Wellness Supervisor at Tapestry at Arbutus Walk. “So much so that this year one of our employees came in to work while on holidays so that he could participate.”

Residents who attended the PRIDE weekend kickoff event say they appreciated the effort that was made to educate, as well as entertain.

“I think it opens up people’s minds to something different,” says Anne, who took in the video prior to the event. “And I didn’t know where the word ‘drag’ came from,” she adds. According to the video, the word drag referred to women’s long skirts that ‘dragged’ on the ground while they walked.

Peter says for him this year’s PRIDE events were all about inclusion and acceptance, both for residents and for Tapestry employees.

Featuring local talent is another way that Tapestry stays connected to our communities.

The Real Human Girl says this wasn’t her first performance for an audience of seniors, whom she generally finds are very appreciative of the art form of drag. In addition to performing regularly as a drag queen, The Real Human Girl also produces drag shows at multiple venues in Vancouver along with monthly shows in Pitt Meadows and Port Moody.

Each Tapestry community is uniquely different and authentically local, reflecting the diversity that exists within our communities and the strong sense of identity built through shared understanding, respect and a desire to create a community defined by memorable moments for all.

If you are looking for a vibrant retirement living community where you can be yourself, continue to learn and have new experiences, please contact us as we would be pleased to host you for a complimentary lunch and a tour.