It's Pride Month in Toronto. Here's what you need to know
Grab your rainbow flags and get ready — Pride Month has arrived in Toronto.
Despite reduced corporate sponsorship, Pride Toronto is pressing ahead with a full lineup of events. From the iconic Pride Parade to drag queen storytelling at the zoo, here's what you need to know to celebrate and protest in the city this month.
When is Pride Toronto's festival weekend — and what's happening with sponsors?
Events will take place across the city all month, with Pride Toronto's festival weekend running from Thursday, June 26, through Sunday, June 29.
The non-profit behind the city's 2SLGBTQ+ festival is marching on despite corporate sponsors pulling out or reducing funding, moves that Pride Toronto executive director Kojo Modeste said are tied to corporate backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the U.S.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Home Depot, Google, Nissan Canada and Adidas are among the companies that have dropped out, while pharmaceutical giant Merck, Tim Hortons and the Abnormal Beauty Company (owned by Estée Lauder) have lowered their contribution amounts.
Star Exclusive
Pride Toronto loses two more corporate sponsors just weeks before festival launch
The massive Toronto festival says it unexpectedly lost two more sponsors — Home Depot and Google — just weeks before festivities are set to kick off.
Star Exclusive
Pride Toronto loses two more corporate sponsors just weeks before festival launch
The massive Toronto festival says it unexpectedly lost two more sponsors — Home Depot and Google — just weeks before festivities are set to kick off.
City Hall flag-raising
On Monday, City Hall will hold a flag-raising ceremony to mark the start of Pride Month, the city announced. The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. at 100 Queen Street West and will include appearances by Mayor Olivia Chow, city council members, and representatives from Pride Toronto, along with performances by drag queens and queer musicians.
Flags will also go up at Mel Lastman Square in North York and Montgomery's Inn in Etobicoke on Wednesday, plus Albert Campbell Square on Thursday, the city said. Toronto police will also fly a flag at their headquarters all month, the force said in a post on X.
Business
Pride Toronto facing loss of corporate sponsorship dollars amid DEI backlash
It is unclear if the companies are withdrawing funding because of anti-diversity, equity and inclusion sentiments.
Business
Pride Toronto facing loss of corporate sponsorship dollars amid DEI backlash
It is unclear if the companies are withdrawing funding because of anti-diversity, equity and inclusion sentiments.
When and where is the Pride Parade?
As for the big event: the Toronto Pride Parade will run on Sunday, June 29 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
More than 25,000 marchers and 250 groups are expected to pack Toronto's core for this year's Pride Parade, the city said on its website. The route will run from Rosedale Valley Road and Park Road, west on Church Street and south on Yonge Street to Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday, June 29.
Gta
The world's oldest LGBTQ bookshop is in Toronto and it's moving
Its new temporary home will be at 32 Lisgar St.
Gta
The world's oldest LGBTQ bookshop is in Toronto and it's moving
Its new temporary home will be at 32 Lisgar St.
Other Pride events in the city
Pride Toronto's Drag Ball: Enjoy a free, nine-hour event featuring more than 70 drag acts from Toronto and beyond. The event will run from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m. at TD Main Stage at Nathan Phillips Square on June 28.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Church-Wellesley Neighbourhood Gay History Walk: Prime Timers Toronto, a social group of queer men, is running 45-minute tours that spotlight historically significant community spaces, including Woody's and the AIDS Memorial. The walk will start at the Allan Gardens Palm House on June 6, 12 and 20 at 2 p.m.
Toronto Zoo Drag Queen Storytime: Drag performers will take to the Wildlife Marquee from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on June 14 to read animal-themed stories with lessons of inclusion, self-love and respect. The storytime is free with zoo admission.
With files from Ana Pereira
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Sun
17 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Pride Toronto insists it's 'full steam ahead' after corporate sponsors jump ship
Toronto's Pride Parade winds its way through the city's streets on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Photo by Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS Executive director Kojo Modeste said Pride Toronto is disappointing that two more sponsors — Google and Home Depot — have dropped out in the last month, but that the setback shouldn't affect this year's festivities that launched Monday night with the raising of the Pride Month flag at City Hall. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'We already have our commitments with our artists and so for 2025, we're full steam ahead and we do hope that we will able to recover some monies where the shortfall is,' said Modeste. 'At this time, there is no additional changes to the festival.' Next year, said Modeste, is still 'definitely up for debate right now in terms of what we can expect next year in terms of changes.' The non-profit first heard about Google's withdrawal May 1, while Home Depot's decision was disclosed to them May 28. Modeste said neither sponsor said why those decisions were made and queries to both companies from the Toronto Sun went unanswered by Monday evening. 'Just for these two, we're looking at $77,000 (less),' said Modeste. 'It's $47,000 for Google and $30,000 for Home Depot. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was more disappointed (than surprised) with the timing of the withdrawal. We had a verbal commitment from Google, but we also had an email confirming Home Depot would be returning as a sponsor.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Modeste said Pride Toronto is looking at a $700,000 overall shortfall due to other corporate sponsorship losses or funding reductions in recent months. He sees it as part of a trend with a lot of non-profits in North America fearing backlash from the Trump administration in the U.S. 'Speaking to some of my colleagues in the U.S., they're seeing the same thing,' said Modeste. 'I believe that a lot of this has to do with the decisions coming out of the White House, I think, with regard to the queer community. These American-based companies are strongly afraid of the backlash that they will receive from the current administration. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It also sends a very clear message as to who is with us genuinely versus those that are in just as a window dressing. You know, who are these corporate sponsors? Who are pink-washing? Who are those that are just there for the performance? It's a very performative act. They're only in it when it's 'pretty.' But now because it's less pretty in the U.S., folks are turning away.' Modeste confirmed the City of Toronto is providing a $90,000 grant for 2025 through its the Cultural Festivals Funding Program in addition to the $260,000 it already approved for a total of $350,000 to date. Pride Toronto is the largest festival of its kind in North America, second only in the world to Brazil with three million people expected to visit the city in June and the Pride Parade final weekend drawing about two million people. 'For individuals, corporations, Canadians who have not donated in the past, this is great opportunity and maybe they would like to support and can reach out,' said Modeste. Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Olympics Toronto Maple Leafs Canada Celebrity
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
It's Pride Month. Here's what drag performers in St. John's are thinking about
On the first day of Pride Month, Quidi Vidi Brewery in St. John's was filled with rainbow flags, loud pop music and dancing drag performers during its brunch hour. June is usually a time of celebration for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, but the feeling isn't all positive this year. "One of the things I'm thinking about the most is the rise in hatred towards specifically trans people, but also the greater 2SLGBTQIA+ community," said Dill March, creative producer with Dream Haus productions. U.S. President Donald Trump campaigned on false claims about trans people in 2024, which has encouraged a rise in hatred towards the community — and that's led to a different Pride this year, says March. "There's more people watching and listening because they've seen the pain and struggle that many trans people have gone through, as well as the pain and struggles that other marginalized communities have faced because of the Trump administration," said March. March, alongside his partner Dakota Blake, started Dream Haus productions a year ago to create more opportunities for drag artists in St. John's. Blake said they are thinking about love, acceptance and fun heading into Pride Month, but also the rising hate. "I get more prideful every single year because I just survived a year," said Blake. For the drag performers at Sunday's event, the political climate is also top of mind heading into Pride Month. "Especially with what's happening in the States, which we know happens to echo into our culture here in Canada," said drag performer Alexander Sproul, who performed for his first time ever as Cora Lation. Gender-bending drag artist Mal Parrott, or Madame Daddy, says they also have mixed feelings heading into Pride Month. "I'm feeling very excited, but I also know the urgency of showing up and being unapologetically queer," said Parrott. They said marginalized communities are at risk right now, making Pride celebrations more important. "Pride is more than just a party. It began as a protest," said Parrott. For Natalie Byrne, who performs as Trish Bish, June is an important time to spread awareness. "We need our allies more than ever," she said. 'No going back' Eddy St. Coeur, external co-chair of St. John's Pride, says the theme this year is "no going back." St. Coeur said he wanted to consider what the community needed to hear when choosing the theme. "It's a rally cry for the community," said St. Coeur. "In light of all of these regressive policies that are attempting to be passed across the country, in light of all this increased hate and animosity, this community isn't going backwards because we still have so much further to go," he said. St. Coeur pointed to a recent poll released by N.L.'s Justice Department, which found 38 per cent of respondents who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ say police don't engage respectfully with their community. "That's something we've been saying for a long time and it's something we've seen no action on," said St. Coeur. During June, St. Coeur says there will be Pride festivals happening across the province, and starting July 9, St. John's Pride will host 11 days of events. Otherwise, St. Coeur says to "just put up a Pride flag." "Send that symbol around your neighbourhood, even if you're not in the community. Seeing that flag up tells everybody around you that you are a safe space."
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
WATCH: Winnipeg Pride Parade 2025
Watch a replay of CTV News Winnipeg's coverage of the 2025 Winnipeg Pride Parade that took place June 1, 2025.
