York University celebrates the history, courage and future of the 2SLGBTQIAP communities with the annual Pride Toronto Festival. (2SLGBTQIAP is an abbreviation used to represent a broad array of identities such as, but not limited to, two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, pansexual, gender and sexual minorities, and allies.)
Uniting and empowering people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, Pride Toronto has become a major Canadian arts and cultural event and the largest Pride celebration in North America. York@Pride stands in solidarity with queer communities and their accomplices.
The Art Gallery of York University (AGYU), The Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (REI), the York Federation of Students (YFS), Trans, Bi, Lesbian and Gay Allies at York (TBLGAY) and SexGen York committee invites University community members to attend the party and get involved with Toronto’s Pride Week and all of York’s multi-faceted festivities.
Celebrate
Pride kicks off with the Flag Drop at the Keele Campus in the Student Centre on Thursday, June 14 at 3:30 to 4:30pm. Join the student organizations with the York Federation of Students who continually provide care and support to the 2SLGBTQIAP communities on campus for this event.
Enjoy a Pride Reception (including rainbow cake, of course) on Wednesday, June 20, 3:30 to 4:30pm in Vari Hall, and rejoice with invited guests as they remark on their ongoing commitment to equity and safety of 2SLGBTQIAP at York.
Our LOUD and proud… and blue float, created in collaboration with artist Natalie Wood, won’t be missed at this year’s Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24. The parade begins at Bloor and Church streets at 2pm and continues down Yonge Street to Dundas Square. Wood brings Toronto’s Blue Devil Posse to revel at the crowd. Borrowing from the cultural traditions of Trinidadian Carnival, the Blue Devil is a satirical character adorned with horns and armed with a pitchfork. Like Carnival, Pride is also a revelrous festival deeply rooted in social justice and political action.
All York students, faculty, staff and their friends are welcome to jump and dance to the tracks of DJ Carma who has created the ultimate Soca mix of howls, beats, and banging. Remember to dress for the weather and bring sunscreen – the march goes ahead rain or shine.
Join the Pride celebrations June 14 to 24
Support
On Monday, June 18, from 11am to 12:30pm in Room 305, York Lanes, the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion hosts Know Your Pride: a Positive Space Training and Toronto Pride History session which provides the fundamentals needed to understand what allyship looks like. The workshop is for all individuals wanting to learn about issues impacting the 2SLGBTQIAP community and how they can be a part of social change and take a stand against oppression. Register for ally session and positive space online.
Come together
On Thursday, June 21 from 6 to 7:30pm artist and writer Samra Habib discusses her international Queer Muslim photo project "Just Me and Allah" and upcoming publication We Have Always Been Here. The session is a roundtable conversation asking, “What does belonging look like for you?”.
Full listing of events
Keele Campus Flag Drop – Opening Ceremony and Reception
Thursday, June 14 at 3:30 to 4:30pm, Student Centre
Know Your Pride: Positive Space Training and Toronto Pride History
Monday, June 18, 11am to 12:30pm, York Lanes room 305, York University
York Pride Reception
Wednesday, June 20, 3:30 to 4:30pm, Vari Hall
Mas Camp: Banner and Float and Costume Creation
Thursday, June 21, noon to 4pm, Vari Hall
Just Me and Allah: Samra Habib Artist Talk & Round Table Discussion
Thursday, June 21, 6 to 7:30pm, TBC
Trans Pride Rally and March
Friday, June 22: Rally 7pm; march 8m, Church Street at Hayden Street
Pride Community StreetFair
Saturday, June 23, 10am to 6pm, Church Street
Dyke March
Saturday, June 23: Rally 1pm; march 2pm, Church Street at Hayden Street
Pride Parade
Sunday, June 24, 2pm, Yonge Street from Bloor Street to Dundas Square
Participate
Want to be part of the festivities? Join us at the Trans* Pride Rally and March, Dyke March, and Pride Parade or volunteer at the Streetfair booth. Contact vpequity@yfs.ca at YFS for more information on how you can march with York in the parade. Bring your re-usable water bottles.
Stay connected
Stay connected on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter for updates and images
@a_g_y_u, @yfslocal68, @TBLGAY, @yorkuniversity
#YorkUPrideMonth
#WhoseParty?
#BlueDevilPosse
York@Pride is generously supported by the Office of the Vice Provost Students, AGYU, REI, TBLGAY, YFS, LA&PS, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, and the SexGen Committee.
*Trans refers to a person whose gender identity is not the same as the sex they were assigned at birth. Community members who may self-identify as trans can be transgender, transsexual, intersex, third gender, genderqueer, genderfluid, non-binary, bigender, or any other identity that is not cisgender.
For more on York@Pride events and information, visit the #YUBlog.