The York University community officially kicks off Pride celebrations on Monday, June 27 with a Flag Drop at the Keele and Glendon campuses.
The official Glendon campus Flag Drop Ceremony takes place from 10 to 11am in the Breezeway, York Hall, B Wing with cake and presentations. The celebrations continue as Pride launches at the Keele campus a Flag Drop ceremony in the Student Centre from 3:30 to 4:30pm. The LGBTQ+ BBQ will follow courtesy of the York Federation of Students (YFS) and everyone is invited to drop by and enjoy the summer heat outside with a BBQ and live music.
Everyone is invited to drop by and enjoy a Pride Brunch Reception on Tuesday, June 28, from 10 to 11:30am, with invited guests Janet Morrison, York vice-provost students; Sexuality Studies Professor and Gender and Sexuality Coordinator Amar Wahab; and Israa Izzeddin, external coordinator at TBLGAY, as they talk about their ongoing commitment to equity and safety of LGBTQ+ at York University.
On Thursday, June 30, artist, writer, and activist Farrah-Marie Miranda provides the fundamentals needed to understand “What ally-ship looks like”. The workshop is for all individuals wanting to learn about issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community and how they can be a part of social change and take a stand against oppression.
The Centre for Human Rights is also hosting ongoing Positive Space training sessions that focus on learning about gender identity and sexual orientation and the impact of homophobia and transphobia. To register for ally session and positive space, visit the REDI Positive Space Training webpage.
Drop by Vari Hall on Wednesday, June 29 between 12 and 4pm to pick up posters to adorn your office and desk showing your support for LGBTQ+ communities. To help us get in the spirit, Joshua Vettivelu, an artist commissioned by the Art Gallery of York University (AGYU) designed a campaign utilizing the language and methods of radical queer movements, alongside student leaders. Vettivelu invites us to shout out our truths. The “This Is Us Now” campaign speaks to the reality of the current political climate and recognizes that all lives have value, all experiences are real, and all survivors are respected.
Keep a look out for York@Pride at the Pride Parade on Sunday, July 3. The parade starts at 2pm at Bloor and Church Streets in downtown Toronto with a route that goes down Yonge Street to Dundas Square. All York students, faculty, staff, and their friends are welcome to jump and dance to the bouncing tracks of DJ Craig Dominic who has created the ultimate mix tape for the occasion. Make sure you dress for the weather and bring sunscreen as the march goes ahead rain or shine.
Uniting and empowering people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, Pride Toronto has become a major Canadian arts and cultural event and the largest Pride celebration in North America. Uniting and empowering people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, York@Pride stands in solidarity with queer communities and their accomplices. Together we will showcase the acceptance, diversity, and inclusivity that York University promotes while welcoming individuality.
Here’s a full list of all events:
- Glendon Campus Flag Raising – Opening Ceremony & Reception
Monday June 27, 10 – 11am, Breezeway, York Hall, B Wing - Keele Campus Flag Drop – Opening Ceremony & Reception
Monday June 27, 3:30 – 4:30pm, Student Centre - Summer Jam Pride BBQ
Monday June 27, 4:30 – 8:30pm, Catalpa Court behind the Student Centre - York Pride Brunch
Tuesday, June 28, 10:00 – 11:30am, Kaneff Tower, second floor - Display Your Pride Poster Pick-Up
Wednesday June 29, 12:00 – 4pm, Vari Hall - Positive Space Training
Wednesday, June 29, 2:30 – 4pm, 280N York Lanes - What Ally-ship Looks Like Workshops
Thursday, June 30, 2 – 3pm & 3 to 4pm, 280N York Lanes - Trans Pride Rally and March
Friday, July 1, rally at 7pm, march at 8pm, North Stage, at the intersection of Church and Isabella Streets - Pride Community StreetFair
Saturday, July 2, 11am – 5pm, Church Street - Dyke March
Saturday, July 2, 2pm, Church at Bloor Street - Pride Parade
Sunday, July 3, 2pm, Yonge Street from Bloor to Dundas Square
Want to be part of the festivities? Join us at the Trans Pride Rally and March, Dyke March, and Pride Parade or volunteer at the Streetfair booth.
Contact Melissa Palermo at YFS Campaigns & Equity, at campaigns@yfs.ca, for more information on how you can march with York@Pride in the parade. Bring your re-usable water bottles. It’s going to be hot, hot, hot!
York@Pride is generously supported by the Vice-Provost Students, Osgoode Hall Law School, AGYU, Centre for Human Rights, TBLGAY, YFS, GLgbt and the SexGen Committee.