Out and About
Toronto Pflag Ally Awards – Nov 17, 2016
Join Pflag families, donors, and stakeholders for an incredible night celebrating 25 Years as Toronto Pflag looking back at Decades of Unconditional Love as volunteers within Toronto Pflag families. Our Ally Awards will honour and recognize two deserving Toronto champions and the contributions they have done alongside the LGBTQ Community, and for their LGBTQ loved ones.
This is a special fundraiser looking back through Decades of Unconditional Love and the volunteers of Toronto Pflag families. Join in on this very special night as we honour two local champions with Toronto Pflag “Ally Awards” recognizing their tremendous work alongside the LGBTQ community on behalf of their LGBTQ loved ones.
With special guest performances by: Elvira Kurt, Sofonda Cox, Nari & Andrew Prashad, Adrian Cross & Brooklyn Goryniuk, Morro and Jasp, Pflag guitarists Nick Lanaro, Rick Green & Harvey Lamb, DJ Sumation
Winner of Toronto Pflag Ally Award – Sonia Smith
Sonia Smith has made sure LGBTQ kids feel welcomed and safe for nearly two decades. Both as the head of security at FLY Nightclub at the heart of Toronto’s gay community, and as a hall-based safety monitor at Emery Collegiate Institute in her day job. Sonia’s unconditional love and support is legendary. Thank you, Sonia, for creating safe spaces and watching over our LGBTQ loved ones.
Winner of Toronto Pflag Ally Award – Jim Callaghan
Jim Callaghan is a beacon of love and support. The father of 4, including two gay sons, Jim has been a fearless ally of the LGBTQ community as an active volunteer for more than 25 years – from a founding father of Pflag Canada to long-standing editor of Toronto PFLAG’s monthly newsletter. Olaf “Jim” Callaghan has marched in the parade every year but one, with his two gay sons since the eldest came out in 1991 and his second in 1993. Jim volunteered with PFLAG locally, provincially and nationally, having started the Sarnia/Bluewater Pflag , served on the Toronto Pflag board for over a decade, was one of the literal “Founding Fathers” of Pflag Canada, and served nationally for six years, including one year as their President. Jim’s Pflag Dad story is like none other. Thank you, Jim, for blazing a Pflag trail here in Toronto, across Canada, and within the USA.
Thursday, November 17 5:30 PM – 8 PM
The 519 Community Centre – 519 Church Street Tickets
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.