By Erica Leon
Pride events are a way for the LGBTQIA2S+ community to join together to advocate and celebrate diversity. Toronto’s Pride Week evolved out of the mass protests that followed the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids and have occurred every June since.
Due to Covid-19 this is the first year that Pride hasn’t been an in-person event.
You can read more about Canadian Queer history here.
Technically Pride Hamilton was launched in 1991 by Hamilton’s Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) and was met with controversy when Mayor Bob Morrow refused to issue a civic proclamation. Hamilton has never staged a parade but includes a week of LGBTQIA2S+ oriented community events which ends with a community festival at Gage Park.
A few facts about Canadian Queer history:
- Canada had its first gay rights protest on August 28, 1971 in Ottawa, Ontario
- The first Pride week in Canada was held August 1973 and the first lesbian pride march in Canada was held May 1981
- The first trans march was held in Toronto on June 27, 2009
Below you will find a listing of online Pride events originating from organizations and groups in Hamilton, Toronto and other cities in Ontario. We’ve also listed some support resources for people who need a friendly face and community interaction during COVID-19 isolation.
This list is by no means comprehensive. If you are aware of additional online Pride events please email the details to editor@monkeybiz.ca
Hamilton Online Pride Events
Digital Pride Hamilton 2020: June 14, 2 pm – 5 pm
Pride Hamilton is excited to announce Digital Pride Hamilton 2020 in collaboration with CoBALT Connects.
Digital Pride Hamilton 2020 will replace Pride Hamilton’s Pride in the Park event that was planned for June 19, 2020. More information including a detailed schedule will be added as soon as it’s available.
The event will be broadcast via the Pride Hamilton facebook page.
Visit their facebook event page for more information. Or visit the Pride Hamilton listing in Queer Events.
That’s My Drag! Digital Pride Tour – Pride Hamilton – June 19, 9 pm – 11 pm.
Hamilton is the fifth stop on the ‘That’s My Drag!’ Digital Pride Tour. That’s My Drag! Pride Hamilton will be their first ever pride drag show digitally featuring local drag stars and other stars seen here regularly throughout the year. Join Guelph Native, Mr. TroyBoy Parks for a two hour live stream digital show. The cast is glammed up, prided up and ready to go for the webcam with some chit chat, banter and most importantly DRAG performances for all of you!!
Visit the facebook event page for more information.
Hamilton Online Community Support
Speqtrum Hamilton goes virtual
Speqtrum Hamilton holds weekly events and peer support sessions online for youth. They provide two peer support sessions a week and weekly online events. During peer support hours, Speqtrum staff are available on facebook, and on Instagram to chat, answer questions, and connect you with resources.
Toronto Events
Pride Toronto – Virtual Pride
Visit this site for a listing of the events taking place throughout June.
Trans March- Virtual (streaming from Toronto), June 26, 1 pm-3 pm. Free and for all ages.
Toronto’s Trans March is officially one of the largest, most exciting Pride events in the world.
This year, in light of Covid-19, organizers are bringing the rally into a virtual space for an hour of speakers and performers followed by an hour of community engagement. The 2020 theme of “Kinder and Stronger together” expresses the importance of community and celebrates the resiliency of Toronto’s trans community.
Virtual Pride Parade – June 28 2 pm-4 pm for all ages.
Celebrating Pride has always been a protest of resilience and that shouldn’t change. The queer and trans community will continue to trail-blaze and connect the community with innovative and exciting ideas. COVID-19 won’t stop them from continuing to create space for everyone to express who they truly are.
Online Community Support in Ontario:
Trans and GNC Social: June 10, 7 pm – 8 pm, this service is free and happens biweekly for ages 16+; June 24, 7 pm – 8 pm.
Queer Events hosts an informal online social for trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and gender variant folks to check in, chat and just stay connected with the community in a safe and inclusive environment.
QIPOC Virtual Check in, June 18 – 7 pm
House of Anansi from London, Ontario hosts an informal bi-weekly online social/check in for any QIPOC identified folks to check in, chat and stay connected with the community in a safe and inclusive environment. They especially encourage folks who are self-isolating, or unable to leave their home and need to hear another human voice to join in.
Virtual socials will be held on Zoom, every other Thursday starting at 7 pm.
Please note that this will be a closed space ONLY for folks who are Indigenous or a Person of Colour AND who are part of the LGBT2Q+ community. They ask that allies respect the space.
Kind Space: A Queer kind dinner: Saturdays from 6 pm – 7 pm using ZOOM
Every Saturday join Kind Space on zoom for a dinner table style video call. Bring dinner to your computer and/or phone. Let’s Eat! This is open to anyone who identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+
Transgender, Trans and non-binary peer community drop in– Tuesdays 2 pm – 4 pm using zoom
Every Tuesday from 2 pm – 4 pm ARCH (HIV/Aids Resources & Community Health) is holding their trans peer support program online using Zoom! This is a weekly Trans & GNC virtual drop-in for community-based peer support, to be heard by people with lived experience, and get some help finding resources, info, or other support that they might need. Anyone can come by (trans people, their family members, partners, people looking to learn more) and connect with trans people who live and work in our community.
Online Events across Ontario
Quarantunes Virtual Concert: Every Tuesday 2-3pm
Quarantunes is a live weekly concert from a local London, Ontario favorite, Lori Garid (Ask Her).
Check out Lori’s Facebook page every Tuesday from 2-3 pm
Drag Bedtime Story: Every evening at 8:30 pm.
Canadian Drag King Titus Androgynous will be reading a queer bedtime story each evening on their Instagram feed and on facebook.
Check out Titus Androgynous Instagram.
Nicki Nastasia presents Latinx Live- Wednesdays at 9 pm.
Canadian Drag Queen Nikki Nastasia presents Latinx – A celebration of Latinx Queers every Wednesday. Nikki will be live on Instagram starting at 9 pm. She’ll be joined by a special guest who will perform, chat and celebrate Latin culture!
House of Kings: Weekly Live Stream: Every Saturday and Wednesdays at 8 pm.
Each Saturday will feature favorite House of King performers and each Wednesday at 8 pm they will have a live stream Open Stage.
Links for all the events above can be accessed here.
