Celebrating Pride 2023!
May 19, 2023
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 2SLGBTQ+ 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 (2SLGBTQ+) culture. Pride events also, at times, serve as opportunities to raise awareness and advocate for human rights and combat discrimination.
2SLGBTQ+ 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 2SLGBTQ+ 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 2SLGBTQ+ members who experience discrimination or harassment and enforce their rights.
Speaking Up & Staying Proud - Celebrating 50 Years
Events
Destination Ontario has compiled a list of 2023 Pride events across the province, "Celebrate Pride in Toronto and beyond."
Toronto Pride Parade - Sunday, June 25: Details coming soon.
