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This years marks the 37th anniversary of Toronto’s annual Pride festival and the city’s second Pride month. Over the last few weeks, the rainbow flag (a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and trans (LGBQT) pride and social movements) has been popping up around the city and campus. The first iteration of Pride in Toronto started in 1971, when a group of gay and lesbian activists gathered for a picnic at Hanlan’s Point on the Toronto Islands to celebrate the gay community. This gathering soon became an annual event and has evolved into one of the largest Pride festivals in the world. Today, Pride celebrations begin on June 1 and culminate in the highly anticipated Pride Parade on June 25.

Pride is a celebration of the unique queer and trans communities in Toronto and consists of numerous artists and cultural events showcased in some of our city’s coolest venues. According to this year’s Pride Guide, “2017 is Pride’s year of +…plus community, plus diversity, plus conversation, plus art, plus family, plus politics, plus our history, plus the future.”

Here are some awesome Pride events to check out this week:

Tuesday, June 20

UTSC Pride T-shirt Painting 1-4pm
UTSC Center, 1265 Military Trail

Join SC:OUT and the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union for an afternoon of fun, rainbows, and glitter! Get ready for the Pride Parade by painting your own t-shirt and enjoy some good food, good music, and great company!

 

AIDS Candlelight Vigil 9pm
Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church Street

This year’s vigil is organized around the theme of “In the Spirit of Wellness and Healing”, and will feature performers and artists who reflect the diversity of the community affected by or living with HIV/AIDS. This event brings together people living with HIV/AIDS, friends, family, and allies to celebrate those living with the disease and honour the lives that have been lost.

 

Wednesday, June 21

Unpacking Police and Pride: A Conversation with Rodney Diverlus 4-6pm
OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room 5150

Last year, Black Lives Matter Toronto (BLMTO) called for a ban on police uniforms, guns, and dedicated police floats in the Pride Parade. This ban was later supported by Pride members at their annual general meeting, a decision that sparked controversy both within and outside of the queer community. Join this conversation with one of the co-founders of BLMTO, Rodney Diverlus, to unpack this issue and learn about blackness in the queer community.

 

Awaken: Youth Showcase 3-9pm

Yonge-Dundas Stage, 10 Dundas Street East

Head over to Yonge and Dundas Square to see performances from a lineup of youth making a huge impact in pop culture and music. The showcase will feature some of the best young drag performers, incredibly talented queer singer/songwriters, and dynamic bands. Awaken also marks the start of five days of back-to-back performances on the Yonge-Dundas stage.

 

Thursday, June 22

#DisplayYourPride | UTSG, UTM, UTSC campuses

This tri-campus event has become an annual tradition at the University of Toronto. Join your fellow students, alumni, staff, and faculty to show everyone what your Pride looks like. Dress up, decorate your space, display artwork — anything goes! This event is designed to celebrate our Pride, build awareness, and create safe and inclusive spaces on campus. Post photos of your Pride using #DisplayYourPride and #UofT

Campus-specific details:
St. George Campus — 1-3pm, 2nd floor of the Multifaith Centre (569 Spadina Avenue)
Hosted by the St. George Positive Space Committee, this #DisplayYourPride event will have food and a group photo at 2:00pm

Mississauga Campus — 11am, campus-wide
UTM Campus Police Officers will be handing out free frozen treats all over campus as part of “Positive Treats for Positive Space”

Scarborough Campus — 1-4pm, campus-wide
Campus Police and Positive Space will be handing out free ice treats all around campus. Register in advance to ensure that they stop by your location!

 

Dancing on the Pier: Pride Night!  7-10pm
Boulevard Tent, 235 Queens Quay West

Let your hair down, put on your dancing shoes, and kick off this summer-long dance party at Toronto’s Harbourfront! There will be a dance party every Thursday evening until August 31st, featuring a diverse range of styles, from salsa to big band! Bring a partner or find one on the pier!

 

Friday, June 23

Trans March | rally 6:30pm, march 7pm
Church and Hayden St intersection

Join U of T at the annual Trans march! The U of T Pride team will be meeting in front of The Croissant Tree (625 Church Street) at 6:00pm. Free U of T Pride t-shirts will be available!

 

Saturday, June 24

Pride and Remembrance Run  10-11:30am
Corner of Church and Wellesley

Hit the pavement with U of T’s Pride and Remembrance Run Team for a 5km run (or 3km walk) in support of local LGBTQ organizations! If you can’t join the team, consider sponsoring them sponsoring them

 

Dyke March | rally 1pm, march 2pm

Church and Hayden St intersection

Join U of T at the annual Dyke march! The U of T Pride team will be meeting at 12:40 pm in front of the Bank of Montreal, 120 Bloor Street East (corner of Church Street and Bloor Street East). Free U of T Pride t-shirts will be available!

 

Sunday, June 25

Pride Parade 2pm
Bloor and Church St intersection

The culmination of the Pride Festival is the highly-anticipated Pride Parade! With over 150 groups participating in the march, there will be unforgettable performances, floats, and lots of glitter and rainbows. Choose a spot along the route to watch the parade, or join the U of T contingent in the march! If you want to march with U of T, the group will be meeting at 2pm on Bloor Street at Ted Rogers Way.

 

For details, updates, and more information on Pride events on campus, check out the  Sexual and Gender Diversity Office (SGDO) Events Calendar

If you’re looking to connect with LGBTQ graduate student groups or resources, visit the: SGDO website

Check out the 2017 Pride Guide for more awesome Pride events happening throughout the month!