Pride Toronto

Toronto Gay Pride is one of the largest Pride celebrations in North America and has become a major Canadian arts and cultural event. Gay Pride Toronto started in 1981, and since then it has evolved into an incredibly lively celebration in the city that continues to attract loads of party enthusiasts from near and far. Following the gay bathhouse raids of 1981 in Toronto, referred to as "Operation Soap", a major demonstation took place the next day, at the intersection of Yonge and Wellesley Streets, closing down the entire streets.

From this, Gays and Lesbians Against the Right was formed, an activist group that fought to promote LGBTQ visibility in the city, and enact equal rights for the community. Later that year, Lesbian and Gay Pride Day Toronto was legally incorporated, and took place on June 28 in the height of the city's summer. The event attracted roughly 1500 people, and brought with it a politically charged atmosphere that was set to help the overall LGBTQ rights movement in the city for years to come. 

History was again made in 1994, when roughly 40,000 people attended Toronto Pride Day in honor of 25 years since the Stonewall Riots of 1969. This Pride Day was particularly momentous, as pride enthusiasts staged the biggest LGBTQ political demonstation in Canadian history, wrapping a large pink ribbon around the entire legislative assembly, forming a human chain. In 1996, a staggering 750,000 celebrated Pride Day, participating in a three-hour parade. This was also the first year a Dyke March took place, along with a Pride and Remembrance Run. 

To this day, Toronto Gay Pride continues to be one of the most celebrated Pride events in the whole of North America, attracting an estimated 1.2 million spectators each year. While Pride Month takes place throughout the entire month of June, things usually culminate on the final weekend of the month, with an incredible Pride Parade and Pride Festival. Gay Pride Toronto very much still remains a political demonstration, with organizers maintaining a strong mission that stipulates that every member of the community should be known, heard, understood, accepted, and respected. With key values of freedom, love, expression, and understanding, Gay Pride Toronto is just the kind of event where you can truly experience your pride, and enjoy a more welcoming world. We hope to see you there! 

For full details on Toronto Pride 2022, be sure to check out the official event program. Happy Pride!

Pride Toronto 2021 will be celebrating 40 years of Pride, and bringing with it 70 individual events showcasing more than 130 LGBTQ artists, 14 party collectives, and seven community committee programs. While Toronto Pride offers a series of exciting LGBTQ events for an entire month, the majority of action takes place over the the last two weekends of June: 18-20 and 25-27. The festivities will kick off as per usual on June 1, with the raising of both the LGBTQ and transgender flags, outside the City Hall from 1pm. Once pride spirits are flying high, the festivities begin. 

The highlight of Toronto Pride is arguably the Toronto Pride Parade 2021, which will transpire on Sunday, June 27. While the Toronto Pride Parade is usually an incredible procession that travels through the city streets, concluding with a spectacle at Dundas Square, things will be a little different this year. The parade will be going digital from 2pm, with a one-hour online production honoring LGBTQ history, and highlighting key talents from the local community. You'll be able to stream the event here. This will be followed by a second stream "Revolution", reflecting back on the 90s through music, poetry and dance. 

Along with this key event, Pride Toronto has curated an impressive calendar of events throughout the month of June which appeal to a broad audience. On Saturday, June 19, enjoy Bi+ Pride - Biphoria, a Celebration of Beautiful Attractions, along with Pride Live, a one-hour live broadcast of some of Toronto's best musical talents. On Sunday, June 20, Pride spirits will continue to be bouyed by Senior Pride at 1pm and Family Pride at 2:30pm.

The following weekend on Friday June 25 and Saturday 26, Toronto Pride will be bringing you both Trans Pride and Dyke Pride, then on Sunday June 27, everything will come to a wrap at the iconic Block Party. For 2021, the event will be called Blockorama 23: Black is Love, and will be organized as per usual by Blackness Yes! The event aims to showcase local black talent and celebrate black love, and will this year transpiring from 6pm - 9pm. So join your favourite blocko DJ’s, drag, ballroom and musical performers, and conclude Pride Toronto 2021 with a bang.   

So if you are ready to experience your pride in epic proportions this year, head to Toronto Pride 2021, and have an experience to remember. Find a place to stay during Toronto Pride on misterb&b. NEW: you can also book gay friendly hotels in Toronto directly on misterb&b.