Pride rolls through Waterloo Region on GRT bus, ambulances and downtown mural

Waterloo Region – This summer, a new Grand River Transit (GRT) Pride bus will travel on routes across Waterloo Region, celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the connections that help make the region welcoming, inclusive and vibrant. 

The same Pride artwork will also appear on four Region of Waterloo ambulances and in a window mural at the corner of Frederick Street and King Street in downtown Kitchener, extending the celebration of Pride and visibility across Regional services and public spaces. 

The 2026 Pride design was created by local artist Brannon Moore-Goldsmith (they/them), a multidisciplinary designer with a passion for creating colourful, tactile products using both traditional and digital techniques. 

“The 2026 GRT Pride Bus was designed as a celebration of identity, recognition, and love for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the Waterloo Region,” said Moore-Goldsmith. “Whimsical shapes and icons are used to represent love, fun, magic, and uniqueness. They are combined with the bright colours of various Pride flags and identity symbols, inviting members of the community to see themselves represented in this design.” 

The design includes symbols representing Transgender, Two-Spirit, and Intersex identities, along with a floral motif inspired by traditional Filipino tattoos to honour Moore-Goldsmith’s Filipino heritage. The back of the bus also creates an interactive photo opportunity for community members to pose beneath a rainbow arch at events. 

“This design represents a lot of my personal style — tons of patterns, colours, rainbows, and always something to discover,” said Moore-Goldsmith. 

At events throughout June, community members will have opportunities to see the Pride bus up close and celebrate Pride Month together. 

“The Region of Waterloo is proud to share this year’s Pride artwork across transit, paramedic services and public spaces as a visible celebration of inclusion, dignity and belonging,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo. “By bringing inclusive artwork into everyday public spaces, the Region helps foster a stronger sense of belonging, safety and connection for residents across Waterloo Region.” 

The Region’s commitment to equity and inclusion also includes direct investment in community wellbeing. The Region of Waterloo has supported the 2SLGBTQIA+ community through investments provided through the Upstream Fund, helping strengthen inclusion, connection and support for community-led initiatives across Waterloo Region.