Celebrating Pride 2022!
May 18, 2022
Early on the morning of June 28, 1969, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning persons rioted following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. The Stonewall Inn was a gay bar that catered to an assortment of patrons, but was popular with the most marginalized people in the gay community. The Stonewall riots are generally considered to be the beginning of the modern gay rights movement, as it was the first time in modern history that a significant body of LGBTQI2S people resisted arrest.
Most Pride events take place around June to commemorate the Stonewall riots. Pride is a celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Two-Spirit (LGBTQI2S) culture. Pride events also, at times, serve as opportunities to raise awareness and advocate for human rights and combat discrimination.
LGBTQI2S workers may feel invisible and unable to fully express themselves in their workplaces and their communities. Pride is a time for self-affirmation and expression, acceptance and acknowledgment. Pride gives members of the LGBTQI2S communities the opportunity to celebrate their diverse histories, experiences, backgrounds and the progress they have made. Pride expresses the efforts of diverse member communities to build a larger community that is inclusive of all.
We are proud to recognize and support the diversity of our members and staff, and to join in the fight against discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. ONA believes in everyone’s right to dignity and equal treatment on the job. We are committed to making our members’ workplaces safe and respectful. We must educate ourselves to recognize and challenge homophobic, transphobic and biphobic comments and behaviour. We must support and show solidarity with our LGBTQI2S members who experience discrimination or harassment and enforce their rights.
Together in Person. Together in Pride! #OutAgain
Events
Destination Ontario has compiled a list of 2022 Pride events across the province, "Celebrate Pride, Province-Wide."
Toronto Pride Parade - June 26, 2022: We have been busy planning for the first in-person Pride Parade since the pandemic began! Pride Toronto has made some changes this year in an attempt to keep the parade running smoothly. They have capped the number of marchers per delegate to 100 people maximum. If you are planning to attend, please email Leanne Cooke at leannec@ona.org to secure your spot! There will be limited spaces (12-15) on our float/truck for members unable to walk the route who want to participate. Please email Leanne Cooke at leannec@ona.org to secure your spot on the truck! The parade commences at 2 p.m. at the corner of Church St. and Bloor St., and finishes at approximately 6 p.m. at the corner of Yonge St. and Dundas St. It is 2kms in total. Once you register with Leanne Cooke, you will receive additional details closer to the day of the parade. Rain or shine, it will be a fabulous day!
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