Toronto's Pride month kicks off. Here's what to expect

Pride Month kicks off June 1 in Toronto, and the city will be filled with events celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

As the largest Pride celebration in Canada, the city's annual events attract millions of visitors every year. 

From flag raising ceremonies to the big Pride Parade weekend, Pride Toronto's executive director Kojo Modeste says there are events for everyone. 

"We have a lineup that is going to be spectacular, that's going to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community, but will also send a very strong message that we are all in, that we are here and we are here to stay," Modeste told CBC Toronto. 

Modeste says this year's Pride month will highlight the transgender and non-binary community, and that it's important to use Pride as a platform for visibility, education, and advocacy.

"We're very deliberate to really showcase that the 2SLGBTQ+ community stands with the trans community because we have seen the attacks that have been directed especially to our trans siblings," said Modeste.

According to data from Statistics Canada, police-reported hate crimes targeting sexual orientation, sex and gender increased each year from 2019 to 2023. 

Pride Toronto is working with city agencies to ensure the events remain safe for everyone, says Modeste. 

"At Pride Toronto, we take safety of both the participants or community visitors very seriously," said Modeste. "Pride has a track record of being a safe event and we are going to be maintaining that."

Pride events to celebrate Canadian talent 

Modeste says Pride Toronto will have a 99 per cent Canadian lineup to send out a message about local representation.

This year's Pride Toronto theme, "All In," is meant to celebrate the city and reflect the core values of Canadians, Modeste adds.

Throughout the month of June, the festival will showcase over 400 performers, eight stages and over 300 hours of programming. 

The executive director of the Church and Wellesley Village BIA, Jaret Sereda, says Pride events bring plenty of visitors to the area, which in turn helps local businesses.

"We love the increased foot traffic," Sereda told CBC. "We want to support all our local businesses and we encourage everybody to shop local."

The Church and Wellesley Village BIA will host its 11th annual VillageFest from June 20 to June 22. 

Sereda says this year's festival has been revamped, and will take place in the parking lot across from Woody's and SAILOR restaurant. 

He says the show will be filled with Canadian talent and is encouraging people to attend it and support it. 

"It doesn't matter what sexuality you express and who you are. We invite everybody. This is an event for everyone," he said. 

City events

The city has provided the full list of Pride events. Here are some of them: 

Flag-Raising events: 

• Mayor Olivia Chow, Members of Council and representatives from Pride Toronto will kick off Toronto's Pride month at Nathan Phillips Square on June 2 at 5 p.m. with performances by Sanjina DaBish Queen, Trash Panda Brass, Tempo Choir & DJ Blackcat.
• North York Civic Centre Flag-Raising on June 4 at 9 a.m.
• Etobicoke Flag-Raising at Montgomery's Inn on June 4 at 4 p.m.
• Scarborough Civic Centre Flag-Raising at Albert Campbell Square on June 5 at 9 a.m.

Nathan Phillips Square events:

• Pride Toronto's Opening Night on June 27 at 6 p.m. Attendees can expect a lineup of 2SLGBTQ+ dance artists including Rebecca Black, Kiesza, Priyanka and Singing Out Choir.
• Pride Toronto's Drag Ball on June 28 from 2 p.m. to midnight. The drag event will return with over 70 drag acts from Canada and beyond.
• Pride Toronto's Closing Night on June 29 at 2 p.m. Pride Parade will close out the night with a party at Nathan Phillips Square.

Street events:

• Gay History Walk at Church-Wellesley Neighbourhood on June 6, 12 and 20 at 2 p.m.
• St. Lawrence Market Street Pride at Market Street on June 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Church Street Pride Fair on Church Street on June 27 to 29.
• Trans March on Church Street on June 27. People will rally at 7 p.m. and march at 8 p.m.
• Dyke March on Church Street on June 28. People will rally at 1 p.m. and march at 2 p.m.
• Pride Parade from Church and Bloor Streets to Nathan Phillips Square on June 29 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Family and youth events:

• Drag Story Time with Gila Münster at the Toronto Botanical Garden on June 1 at 11 a.m.
• TRANScendTO at Toronto Metropolitan University Student Centre on June 6 at 12 p.m.
• Family Pride at Church St. Public School on June 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Youth Pride at Church St. Public School on June 28 at 6 p.m.