2025 Places of Pride: 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering – Official First Day Cover cancelled in Beausejour, Manitoba.

Places of Pride takes us to sites across Canada that 2SLGBTQIA+ people fought to make their own: places of celebration and freedom to be fully oneself, and spaces that nurtured a sense of solidarity that became a catalyst for change.

This issue proudly celebrates the spaces and places across the country that in some way shaped the present and can inspire the future. It highlights the resilience, courage and achievements of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities that have contributed to Canada’s ongoing journey toward inclusivity and equality.

Good to know

The 2025 Places of Pride stamp issue also includes a booklet of 8 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps, including two of each of the four designs in the set.
Official First Day Covers for each design in the issue are also available.
The 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering Official First Day Cover is cancelled in Beausejour, Manitoba.

About the 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering

Places of Pride takes us to sites across Canada that 2SLGBTQIA+ people fought to make their own – places of celebration and freedom such as the 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering, held in the summer of 1990.

Now known as the Annual International Two-Spirit Gathering, the 1990 event took place near Beausejour, Manitoba, at what is today the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. One of the organizers, Elder Albert McLeod, was a co-founder of the Winnipeg-based Nichiwakan Native Gay Society (now 2Spirit Manitoba), which was among the first groups for 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This transformative gathering marked a pivotal moment for queer Indigenous people in North America. Here, the term “Two-Spirit” was introduced by Dr. Myra Laramee, a member of Fisher River Cree Nation, who said it came to her in a vision. “Two-Spirit” refers to diverse Indigenous understandings of gender, relationships with the spiritual realm, ancestors, and love and support from family and community members. It can describe someone’s sexual, gender and/or spiritual identity. The Annual International Two-Spirit Gathering remains a powerful example of decolonization and queer liberation.

About the design

This issue, designed by Kelly Small at Intents & Purposes Inc. and illustrated by Tim Singleton, captures four landmark locations in rich colour illustration.

Each OFDC in this issue is designed and illustrated in a style reminiscent of travel postcards.

The cancel mark depicts the sacred fire around which ceremonies were conducted at the 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering in 1990.

Product # 414294131

2025 Places of Pride: 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering – Official First Day Cover