Event Details

In 1969, during the final weekend in June, drag queens and queer street kids rioted at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The Stonewall riots marked the beginning of the gay liberation movement that has transformed the oppression of the LGTTQQ2S community into pride.

Pride Toronto has been in existence in various forms since the late 1970’s and annually since 1981. In the early 1970’s there were Gay Days picnics that were held at Hanlon's Point, moving later to Cawthra Park, with ceremonies on the steps of the 519 community centre, and Pride Toronto's first-ever beer garden.

In 1981, police raided various bathhouses that motivated gays and queers and their supporters to organize a major demonstration held at Yonge Street and Wellesley on the day that followed. This event raised public awareness of queer issues. In 1984 for the first time Church Street was closed and people danced in the street. Pride Toronto's first Pride Committee was created in 1986, and in 1987 sexual orientation was included in the Human Rights Code. The momentum built up and in 1991 the City Council proclaimed Pride Day for the first time and 80,000 people celebrated.

June 29th 1996 the first Dyke March met at the 519 Community Centre. Toronto Dyke March founders Lesha Van Bij and Lisa Hayes work with a handful of volunteers to organize a successful Dyke March with 5,000 participants. The Dyke March is now a year round engagement, a beacon to Dykes and Trans people everywhere and a signal that Dykes and Trans are needed, valued and welcomed. Since 1996 the Dyke March continues o raise awareness of Dyke and Trans' visibility in the queer community, and the Dyke March has become a tradition in most cities across North America.

This application is for “Toronto Pride Festival 2025”, taking place May 1 to June 30, 2025 at multiple venues and locations across Toronto. The Festival will offer a mix of free and ticketed events to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all. The proposed schedule includes a range of engaging activities and programs designed to celebrate the diversity of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Programming includes:

(1) Festival Reveal: a sneak peek of the festival featuring local 2SLGBTQI+ artists and performers at the CN Tower;

(2) Youth Conference: a leadership and activism conference designed for youth at MLSE Launchpad;

(3) Community Connect Program: bringing Pride programming to underserved areas across three wards outside the downtown core;

(4) Pride Flag Raising Ceremony: official opening of Pride Month with the raising of the Pride flag at Toronto City Hall;

(5) Pride Pool Party: featuring DJs and performances by 2SLGBTQI+ artists at Cabana Pool Bar;

(6) Human Rights Roundtable: panels and discussions with high-profile 2SLGBTQI+ advocates and performers at Courtyard Marriot;

(7) StreetFair and Family Pride Zone: local vendors, community organizations, and family-friendly activities at Church-Wellesley Village;

(8) Pride Weekend: performances by headline and emerging artists at Nathan Phillips Square, Sankofa Square, and Church-Wellesley Village, alongside interactive art installations; and

(9) Grand Pride Parade on June 29.