About this time last year, the Rainbow Resource Centre celebrated its 50th anniversary with the Studio 73 Gala, a glittering tribute to the resilience and joy of Winnipeg’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. Produced by Emma Singh Creative and the Rainbow Resource Centre, the event, held at the RBC Convention Centre, the night marked a significant milestone for Canada’s longest-running queer and trans resource centre. The gala commemorated five decades of advocacy and support, serving as a moment of reflection and renewal amidst a political climate that is increasingly hostile toward 2SLGBTQ+ rights.
For 50 years, the Rainbow Resource Centre has been a lifeline for Manitoba’s 2SLGBTQ+ community, providing resources, creating safe spaces, and fostering connection. What began in 1973 as a small grassroots organization has evolved into a pillar of support, advocacy, and identity-building. The Studio 73 Gala was a full-throttle celebration of this legacy, brimming with bold fashion, vibrant performances, and moving tributes that captured the heart and spirit of the community.
The venue was transformed into a dazzling space, with over 800 guests showcasing their finest attire, exuding a sense of unapologetic glamour and individuality. From the mirror balls scattering light across the room to the electric atmosphere, it was a celebration that embraced the creativity and diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Ace Burpee, the local radio DJ known for his philanthropic efforts, hosted the night, guiding guests through a series of performances, speeches, and heartfelt moments. The entertainment lineup featured a performance by Lisa Windsor and the Studio 73 Dancers, along with a surprise pop-up fashion show by Swish Model Management. This was all about community, connection, and love.
A diverse group of speakers lent their voices to the event, including Elder Albert McLeod, Premier Wab Kinew, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, and RBC’s Chris White and Kim Ulmer. Each spoke to the importance of the Centre’s work, not just as a resource for those in need, but as a beacon of hope in an increasingly uncertain world. Rainbow Resource Centre Executive Director Noreen Mian delivered an especially poignant speech, celebrating the Centre’s accomplishments while acknowledging the hard truths that the 2SLGBTQ+ community continues to face.
Despite these challenges, the evening’s theme was one of resilience. As much as it was about looking back on five decades of progress, it was also about rallying around the ongoing fight for equality. The night’s Live Auction and Fund a Need segments raised over $900,000, a testament to the community’s commitment to ensuring that the Rainbow Resource Centre’s vital work continues well into the future.
What struck the attendees about the event was the balance between celebration and reflection. In today’s climate, it’s impossible to mark such a milestone without acknowledging the political realities facing queer and trans people. Attacks on 2SLGBTQ+ rights are no longer isolated to fringe movements; they are seeping into mainstream politics and policy. While the Studio 73 Gala was undeniably a night of joy, there was an underlying awareness that the fight for equality is far from over.
This balance was evident in the stories shared by community members like Sally, Oksana, and Cameron, whose personal accounts highlighted the Centre’s impact. Their stories were about the power of community and the importance of spaces like the Rainbow Resource Centre, where people can be seen, heard, and supported.
And then, of course, there was the after-party; it was a night to remember, with guests dancing on a glowing LED floor to tunes spun by DJ Huffnpoof and indulging in desserts from local bakeries. It was a fitting conclusion to a night that was both celebratory and deeply meaningful, a reminder that joy and resistance often walk hand in hand.
Events like the Studio 73 Gala are more than just parties; they are acts of defiance—opportunities to celebrate progress while renewing our commitment to fight for the future. The Rainbow Resource Centre has been leading that fight for 50 years, and if this gala is any indication, it will continue to be a force for good, lighting the way for the community it so deeply serves.
Partners for this project:
Creative Team: @rainbowresourcecentre @emmasinghcreative
@rbcconvctrewpg
@beyond_flowers
@beyondthelounge
@dreamdaydecor
@collectiverentals_
@creatingascene_wpg
@supreme.entertainer
@partyrentalswinnipeg
@contemprasigns
@aventpro
@memetic_meme
@sparkrentals
@lightswinnipeg
@eventlight
@glitterballsco
@360filmswpg
@emptycupcollective
@thebeyouteebar
@givergy
@swishmodels
@lisamwindsor
@aceburpee
@theaceburpeeshow
@kristicummings
Presenting Sponsor: RBC
Dinner Sponsor: Bell MTS
Dinner Wine Sponsor: Manitoba Liquor Marts
Mirror Ball Sponsors: Kelburn Recover Centre, and MJ Roofing
Dance Floor Sponsor: Birchwood Automotive, Bonnie Buhler, Munro Group, and Thorwin Properties
Entertainment Sponsor: Asper Foundation, and Donald Pearen & James Anning
Stage Sponsor: Fitness Experience, and Kristie Pearson & Doug Pollard
Silent Auction Sponsor: Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd.
Raffle Sponsor: Air Canada Foundation
Corporate Social Responsibility Leader: Mondetta
Corporate Social Responsibility Sponsor: Auto Gallery of Winnipeg, ævi Spa Salon & Boutique, Canada Life, and Johnston Group
Equality Sponsor: Bruce Clark & Daniel Friedman, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Dominion Tax Accounting Service, Jim Gauthier, Padraig Inc., Payworks, Pollard Family Foundation, Schinkel Properties, Taylor McCaffery LLP, University of Winnipeg, Victoria Hospital Foundation, Sindee Wilhelmer & Marilyn Trepel, and WOW Hospitality
Event Photography: @leifnorman