Doug Saunders

Doug Saunders moved to Ottawa from Fredericton in September of 1996 to attend Carleton University. He got involved with Carleton's GLBT Centre as a volunteer and then went on to become the co-Coordinator for the centre the following year.

During that time, Doug was also performing drag in Ottawa, as Dianne, who went on to become Miss Gay Pride 1996; the first one to hold the title in the City of Ottawa. Dianne recollects, "I was in the Parade that year wearing a pink jump suit and was very visible throughout the Festival as one of only two queens to perform on the main stage."

It was through this involvement that Doug eventually become involved in the Pride Committee of Ottawa–Gatineau as the Rainbow Party Coordinator for 1997, which was a very successful event held at Lansdowne Park.

The following year (1998/1999) Doug was elected as the Vice Chair Logistics/Operations of the Committee; he oversaw all the logistics and coordinators for all the major 1999 Pride Festival events (The Rainbow Party, Parade, Picnic, Weeks Events and the Closing Gala).

Last year in 2008, Doug returned to the Capital Pride Committee as a member of the Board of Directors and the Rainbow Party Coordinator. "Rainbow 9 (last year at Heaven) was a lot of fun and it reminded me of why I got involved in Pride in the first place over 10 years ago." This year, in addition to being the coordinator for Rainbow Party 10, Doug has also taken on the role of Secretary of the Capital Pride Committee.

"I feel that it is important to continue the history that the Pride Festival has made over the past 24 years and make the 2009 Capital Pride Festival one of the largest events in the Ottawa–Gatineau region. Being involved in the Capital Pride Committee again has become very important in my life. It has reminded me of where I have come from and the person that I have become."