Across the city this year, Pride Month celebrations are back in-person in Toronto after two years of pandemic-related virtual festivities. Every event, performance, talk and march are about uplifting 2SLGBTQ+ voices, celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ culture and supporting 2SLGBTQ+ rights.
And it’s about inclusion for all.
Inclusion and diversity is about ensuring that our sense of belonging is respected regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or physical/mental disability. At Nellie’s, we advocate for all women experiencing oppression, such as violence, poverty and homelessness, so it’s important to us to celebrate Pride alongside the 2SLGBTQ+ community; it’s one of the really important ways we take a stand together against gender-based violence.
Why is Pride Month celebrated in June?
At the heart of it, Pride Month is about recognizing and remembering the struggles that 2SLGBTQ+ individuals have faced throughout history. It is held in honour of the June 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. At that time, police had been targeting the 2SLGBTQ+-friendly Stonewall Inn and the individuals there. This led to a series of protests and demands for equal rights and is credited with being a turning point in 2SLGBTQ+ history.
This month is the 52nd anniversary of the first Pride parade in New York, which was in 1970, one year after the uprising. One year later, in 1971, the first meeting of what was to become the Toronto Pride Parade, was held at both Hanlan’s Point and Ward’s Island.
Why (and when) did the Pride flag change?
Since 1978, the Pride flag has adorned the skies with its six distinct colours — red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. Red is symbolic of life, orange is symbolic of healing, yellow is sunshine, green is nature, blue represents harmony and purple is spirit. Designed by artist Gilbert Baker, this rainbow flag came to reflect both the immense diversity and the unity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
In 2018, artist Daniel Quasar re-designed the existing rainbow flag to incorporate the baby pink, baby blue and white of the transgender flag, as well as black and brown stripes to represent 2SLGBTQ+ communities of colour. Brands and activists around the world have quickly adopted this new “Progress Flag” as a more inclusive symbol of Pride.
What’s at issue today?
Pride Month is about love, acceptance and being proud of who you are. Whether you identify as 2SLGBTQ+ or are an ally, it’s important to understand the impact on those in this community. Rights and laws may be progressive in Canada but they’re not in many other countries. The fight for equality and inclusion continues.
How can I celebrate?
See the 2022 Pride Toronto events calendar for events and activities throughout June, concluding with the annual Festival Weekend on June 24-26.
Don’t miss our Nellie’s bright and cheery booth at the street fair on Alexander Street all Festival Weekend long! We’ll be handing out information and flyers, accepting donations and taking the time to mingle and enjoy spending time together.
