Pride Toronto is back for its 39th year and continues to be the biggest festival in Canada, and one of the largest LGBTQ2+ festivals in the world. The organization is looking to the future; growing all over the world, it is bright, it is colourful, it is diverse. This year, it will be recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Pride Toronto honours those that started this world-changing movement 50 years ago, with the theme that expresses FREEDOM, as  the spotlight is placed on the first freedom fighters.

The Honoured Group this year is Women’s College Hospital (WCH). For more than 100 years, WCH has developed groundbreaking revolutionary advances in healthcare. WCH will be recognized because of the incredible work in creating access to transition surgery through their Trans Health Expansion Partnership (THEx). THEx supports the expansion of health services for trans individuals and communities across Ontario. This program represents the first public hospital-based surgical program in Canada focused on providing safe and timely access to transition-related surgical care.

Rainbow Railroad is the selected charity for the 2019 festival. The organization exists to help LGBTQ2+ communities get out of danger to safety. In the spirit of the Underground Railroad, the mission of Rainbow Railroad is to help LGBTQ2+ people as they seek safe haven from state-enabled violence, murder or persecution. Pride Toronto is honoured to work with an organization that is providing life-saving services to the LGBT community internationally.

In terms of entertainment, Toronto welcomes RuPaul Queen, Brooke Lynn Hytes, home on Saturday, June 22nd, 2019, at TD Main Stage. She will be headlining alongside her favourite local sisters. Full programming to be announced on May 1, 2019!

Every month Pride Toronto is celebrating the Pride Flag and the meaning of each colour contained within it. This month’s theme was HEALING + SUNLIGHT. Sunlight symbolises life, truth, positive energy, and all things generally worth celebrating. While sunlight is an essential part of our lives, sometimes it can be hard to let its positive vibes flow through you. What will April’s theme be? Stay tuned on our Instagram to find out!

Don’t forget to TAG your Instagram posts with #PrideTO and @PrideToronto for your chance to get featured in the weekly  SHOW US YOUR PRIDE  spotlights! 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.