Toronto Kicks Off Pride Month with Flag-Raising and Diverse Celebrations

June 1, 2024 Kelly

Toronto ON – The City of Toronto is ushering in Pride Month with a host of events that celebrate the vibrant and diverse 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Mayor Olivia Chow will officially proclaim June as Pride Month and raise the Progress Pride flag at Toronto City Hall. This momentous event will be attended by Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre) and representatives from Pride Toronto, symbolizing the city’s commitment to inclusivity and support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

In addition to this central celebration, flag-raising ceremonies will be held on Monday, June 3, at 9 a.m. in Albert Campbell Square at Scarborough Civic Centre and at the Etobicoke Civic Centre. A prior ceremony took place in Mel Lastman Square at North York Civic Centre on Sunday, May 26.

Throughout the month, the Toronto Sign in Nathan Phillips Square will be illuminated in rainbow colors, serving as a beacon of Pride and a testament to the city’s support for equality and diversity.

#CityOfTO celebrates Pride Month with month-long programming, raises Progress Pride flag at Toronto City Hall.

Read the news release here: https://t.co/Yj3qSCpTWy pic.twitter.com/zmnFxAWQkX

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) May 31, 2024

Highlights of the Pride Festival and Parade

This year’s Pride Festival, one of the globe’s largest, runs from June 1 to June 30. The festivities will peak with the Pride Parade, a joyous and colorful event celebrating Toronto’s diverse 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Members of Toronto’s public services, including Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Paramedic Services, and long-term care residents in the Seniors’ Contingent, will proudly participate in the parade.

Engaging Pride Month Programs

Residents and visitors are encouraged to participate in various events at Toronto History Museums across the city:

Pride Flag Raising at Montgomery’s Inn
- Date: Wednesday, June 5, from 3 to 4 p.m.
- Location: Montgomery’s Inn Farmers’ Market (4709 Dundas St. W)
Family Pride Celebration at Colborne Lodge
- Date: Saturday, June 8, from 1 to 4 p.m.
- Activities: Outdoor games, crafts, and a Drag Queen Storytime hosted by Lucy Flawless
- Location: Colborne Lodge Museum (11 Colborne Lodge Dr)
Pride Month Knitting at Gibson House Museum
- Date: Saturday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Activity: Knit contributions to rainbow flag decorations on Worldwide Knit in Public Day
- Location: Gibson House Museum (5172 Yonge St)
Family Pride Flag Workshops at Montgomery’s Inn
- Dates: Saturday, June 8, Sunday, June 9, Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Activity: Design and decorate Pride flags with artist Yahn Nemirovsky
- Location: Montgomery’s Inn (4709 Dundas St. W)
Family Pride Festival at Spadina Museum
- Date: Sunday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Activities: Children’s stories by The 519 Glitterbugs program, learn about Toronto’s Queer history, enjoy cotton candy, and treats
- Location: Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Rd)

For more information on Pride Month programming, visit the Toronto History Museums’ Exhibits & Events webpage.

Health and Wellness Initiatives

Toronto Public Health will provide sexual health information at the Toronto Pride Street Fair from June 28 to June 30. To locate a sexual health clinic nearby, visit the City’s Sexual Health Clinics webpage.

The Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (SHILO) offers a free, anonymous, and inclusive eChat and phone service for Ontario residents. For more information, visit the City’s Health & Wellness webpage.

Stay tuned to GTA Today for comprehensive details about Toronto’s Pride Month celebrations or visit toronto.ca. More information on the Pride Parade and other events can be found at pridetoronto.com.