It’s Pride Month all over the world, and here in Toronto, there is no shortage of events for everybody, whether you’re gay, straight, or anywhere in between, or beyond!
That being said, it’s important to remember that, while Pride may seem like a party, it began as a protest. Pride events are a way to celebrate, sure, but they are also to mourn, fight, and recognize that there is still a long way to go in making the world an inclusive place for all. These are safe spaces for the LGBTQ2+ community, and it’s vital that it stays that way.
Ok, now that we’re all on the same page, what’s going on?
VillageFest 2017 | June 17 – 18
Where: The Village
Head to The Village, Canada’s largest LGBTQ2+ neighbourhood for the 4th annual VillageFest. Have a drink on one of the many patios, shop from local vendors, and make sure you check out the performance stage too! This year’s theme is #LoveIsLoveIsLove.
Drag Brunch | June 18 (and every Sunday)
Where: Glad Day Bookshop
Every Sunday, Glad Day brings you drag brunch between 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy amazing food by brunch legends Cardinal Rule — guaranteed to have something delicious for diverse diets and $4 MIMOSAS!
Every week there is a new special guest, fun games and kitschy performances. Join me and my special guest Mona Moore on June 18 for a fabulous time!
Healing the Hidden Wounds | June 20
Where: Friends House, Meeting Room
Hosted by Healthy Minds Canada, this special Lunch & Learn will explore some of the unique mental health issues within the LGBTQ2+ community and why education is important. Come join us and hear from our panel of professionals and people with lived experience.
The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson | June 21
Where: Jackman Hall Theatre (AGO) | PWYC
An Inside Out Film Festival presentation. The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson is a documentary about the self-described “street queen.” She was a legendary fixture in New York City’s gay ghetto, who along with fellow trans icon Sylvia Rivera, founded Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.), a trans activist group. Marsha died mysteriously in 1992, and at the time, the NYPD pegged her death as a suicide. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson celebrates her lasting political legacy, while seeking to finally solve the mystery of her unexplained death.
Transfeminism: Beyond Bodily Binaries Towards Gender Fluidity | June 21
Where: The 519
An inclusive panel bringing together key voices to discuss the emergence of transgender visibility, reversing hegemonic concepts of gender and moving towards gender and sexual fluidity. Can we create spaces for trans subjectivity within the feminist movement, beyond gender binaries? And if so, how can we create a theory and practices that are focused on the experiences of trans communities but are relevant to all?
DRAG BALL Toronto | June 21
Where: Fly 2.0
Category is! This drag ball dance party features not one, but two Rupaul’s Drag Race queens, Trinity Taylor and Miss Peppermint. On top of our special guest queens, there will be performances from some of your favourite local queens, with beats from Fit boys (DJs Kris Steeves and Phillippe).
Some Like it Hot | June 22
Where: Bad Dog Theatre
An improvised comedy show where the inspiration comes from the songs and monologues of Toronto Drag Queen, Atmos Fierce. Come watch as improv and drag swirl together in a hilarious dance of comedy and showstopping lip-syncs.
Pride Beach | June 22
Where: Drake Hotel
Presented by Collectif NUDE and The Drake Hotel, PRIDE BEACH is an all night party, with a 4 a.m. last call. Starring: Lowell, KITTENS, Birthday Boy, Jay Strut, and more.
Trans March | June 23
Where: Church and Hayden Streets
All trans and nonbinary folks, friends, and allies are welcome to rally, march, and stand together in solidarity. Trans women of colour and people with different abilities are encouraged to lead the March and set the pace for all.
Join us at the intersection of Church and Hayden Streets as we make our way along Bloor Street, south on Yonge, and east on Carlton to Allan Gardens.
#FNLROM Colour ROM Proud | June 23
Where: The Royal Ontario Museum
Continue your Pride Month celebrations with an official Pride Toronto dance party, featuring DJ Craig Dominic, Singing OUT, and Jada Hudson, Toronto’s glamazon scene queen.
Drag Queen Storytime | June 24
Where: S. Walter Stewart Branch
This family-friendly, free event is a great way for kids (and parents) to learn about gender expression and acceptance in a fully inclusive atmosphere. Dress-up and take part in an hour of storytelling, with an opportunity to interact with the drag queens.
#RESIST Dyke March | June 24
Where: Church and Hayden Streets
The Toronto Dyke March is a political demonstration of critical mass, welcoming all self-identified dykes to create political and visible space. This grassroots event is not a parade. The women and trans people of our community take over the streets of downtown Toronto to celebrate our power, strength, diversity, and passion of dyke experiences and identities. We will reflect on our history, celebrate our accomplishments, learn from our past, honour where we’ve come from, and lift voices that have been silenced and forgotten.
PRIDE PARADE | June 25
Where: Bloor and Church Streets
Costumes, Choreography and Colour!
Festival weekend’s premier event is the Pride Parade. With 150+ participating groups marching, the Toronto Pride parade has become one of the largest in North America. There will be unforgettable performances, floats, marchers, and all the glitter you can handle!