May 2015 Newsletter #50 www.torontopflag.org [email protected]

TORONTO PFLAG VISION NEXT WEST END SUPPORT MEETINGS

Toronto Pflag is a charitable organization that Tuesday speaks for a more accepting Canadian society by June 9, 2015 providing support, education and resources to all and people who wish to grow in their understanding of July 14, 2015 sexual and gender diversity. 7:30 p.m. Toronto Pflag actively assists in the recognition and growth of , , bisexual, , St. Olave’s Church transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, queer and (side entrance) questioning persons, and their families and 360 Windermere Ave., friends, within their diverse cultures and societies. Toronto, ON M6S 3L4

International Day Against Homophobia I Transphobia and Biphobia DAHTB May 2015 NEXT EAST END SUPPORT MEETINGS

Wednesday July 8, 2015 and August 5, 2015

7:30 p.m.

Kimbourne Park United Church 200 Wolverleigh Blvd., Toronto, ON M4C 1S2

Michael, Susan, Mayor John Tory and Christine

A message from your President how volunteering at Pride was the start of being out all the time. Being May 31, 2015 proud herself. Being who she really is. About the magic of that first Come Out and Play! Pride when Amy realized she was part of a happy throng of people just This year Pride has outdone itself: a like her. full 10 days of programming and a human rights conference focusing on Every year LGBTQ kids make their the Americas in keeping with the Pan way to Wellesley Station with high Am games. I guarantee you won't be hopes. They are the reason Toronto able to stay home until the big final Pflag will always be at Pride. We want weekend. You can find more about to be part of the community that our plans for Pride in this newsletter welcomes them. We will literally and at www.pridetoronto.com. opens our arms to kids, no matter their age, who long for a parent’s Once again Toronto Pflag will be in the acceptance. street fair, in the parades and hosting our Pflag Family Brunch on Sunday at We are a proud part of the LGBTQ Pogue Mahone’s on College St. It is the family in Toronto. nicest possible gathering of proud families in Toronto. And it's the one So come and see us at Pride. Better time Pflag parents get to meet each still volunteer to help us at Pride. Just other's children, about whom we two hours of your weekend can help know so much. For our kids have a first timer know that Pflag is there allowed us to tell their stories so that for them. we can help others. See more about all of this inside this Thousands of students know our special Pride edition of our Amy’s story for example. And all of newsletter. And Come Out and Play! those students know how important Pride is in the story of Amy. About Anne Creighton

Pride 2015 Highlights

The Pride Guide is out and here are some of the offerings. We encourage you to go to www.pridetoronto.com for more details. Many events require you to RSVP on Facebook so don’t be disappointed!

Friday, June 19

OPENING PARTY 8 pm BIA Stage (on Church Street, between Maitland and Alexander)

U of T Pride Pub 4:00 PM Hart House Quad, 7 Hart House Circle,

Saturday, June 20

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: OUR HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE 9 am – 6 pm University College at the University of Toronto, Room 140 Registration: $10, includes breakfast and lunch

Nuit Rose 2015 (Play/Space) Saturday June 20th 7:00 PM Church & Wellesley / Queen & Shaw, ,

Sunday, June 21

PRIDE SERVICE 10:30 am Fairlawn United, 28 Fairlawn Ave.

SWEETNESS PRIDE BEACH PARTY Sugar Beach, 22 Dockside Drive, Toronto

Monday, June 22

FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY 12 pm City Hall

Breaking Binaries Variety Show 10:00 PM The Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St West,

Tuesday, June 23

PRIDE (THE MOVIE) 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Fairlawn United, 28 Fairlawn Avenue

AIDS CANDLELIGHT VIGIL 9 pm Barbara Hall Park, at The 519 Church Street Community Center

Wednesday, June 24

MADO FRENCHES TORONTO Alliance Francaise Toronto, 24 Spadina Rd RSVP on Facebook

CABANA POOL PARTY 6 pm – 1 am Cabana Pool Bar, 11 Polson Street, Toronto Suggested donation: $10

“Dad, I’m Gay.” Lessons for fathers & sons with TV anchor Kevin Newman & Alex Newman 7:00 PM The 519 Church Street Community Centre

Thursday, June 25

STARRY NIGHT Barbara Hall Park, at The 519 Church Street Community Center

Laugh Out Proud 2015 8:00 PM Yuk Yuk's, 224 Richmond St West

Friday, June 26

TRANS* PRIDE FAIR 2 pm – 7 pm

Norman Jewison Parkette, Isabella Street

TRANS* PRIDE MARCH Rally: 7 pm, March: 8 pm North Stage (Church Street at Isabella Street)

Also: Trans Concert with Chaz Bono Yonge Dundas Square Bend it like Bombay with Celena Jaitly Burlesque a Go-Go 50 Shades of Blu

Saturday, June 27

DYKE MARCH March: 2 pm March Staging: Church Street at Bloor Street

#DYKEVERSITY 2 pm – 2 am Bud Light South Stage

BEAR GARDEN 2 pm – 2 am OLG Central Stage

PAN AMERICANO 2 pm – 2 am TD Wellesley Stage

DRAG ON! 2 pm – 11 pm Molson Canadian Yonge-Dundas Square

FRUIT LOOPZ Alexander Parkette 2 pm- 11 pm

Sunday, June 28

TORONTO Pflag FAMILY BRUNCH 9:30 am – 11:30 am Pogue Mahone, College St. at Bay St.

PRIDE PARADE Starts at 2 pm Parade Staging: Church Street at Bloor Street

THE LAST DANCE 2 pm – 11 pm OLG Central Stage

DIRTY DISCO 2 pm – 11 pm Bud Light South Stage

THE FINAL PLAY 2 pm – 11 pm Molson Canadian Yonge-Dundas Square

BLOCKORAMA 12 pm – 11 pm TD Wellesley Stage

Toronto Hosts Asexuality Conference

Toronto will host the North American Asexuality Conference from June 20 to 21st presented by Asexual Outreach. The event will be held at University of Toronto.

Organizers hope to attract more then 300 students, LGBTA* service providers, educators and activists to discuss and learn about asexuality.

Recently, Newsletter Editor Jim Callaghan and President Anne Creighton learned about Asexual Outreach while doing their own outreach on behalf of Toronto Pflag.

For more information go to www.asexualoutreach.org/conference

Brian and Sebastian at Glendon College

7th Annual Pride Family Brunch

Join Toronto Pflag for food, fun and friends - and fuel up for the big Pride parade! Our 7th annual Pride Family Brunch is a delicious start to your day. The cost is just $13 per person, payable at the event.

Bring your family, or come on your own and join a table of new friends. All are welcome!

Date: Sunday, June 28, 2015 Time: 9:30 am - 11:30 am (buffet closes at 11:30) Location: Pogue Mahone Irish Pub, 777 at College RSVP: http://whoozin.com/pridefamilybrunch

Brunch Menu eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, home fried potatoes toast, muffins, salad, fruit coffee & tea All for just $13 per person, tax included. Please pay your server at the event. See you there!

Toronto Pflag Board in front Enjoying brunch at of Pogue Mahone June 2014 Pogue Mahone June 2014

Toronto Pflag is looking for Volunteers

HAPPY PRIDE!!! With Pride 2015 just around the corner Toronto Pflag is looking for Volunteers to help out both on the weekend and in preparation for all the events!!

Volunteering with Toronto Pflag is no ordinary experience. You’ll be in cahoots with a 200 strong community of volunteers, have the opportunity to promote our amazing organization, meet great people and get behind-the-scenes experience with one of Canada’s largest LGBTQ support organizations!

We need your help across a spectrum of events leading up to and including Pride Weekend (June 26th – 28th). Whatever your skills and interests, we’ve got a role for you! Be it prepping the organization for the festival, engaging with visitors to our booth as an ambassador for Toronto Pflag, or organizing people and marching in the parade with an energetic group of individuals showing their support for the LGBTQ people in their lives!

We love our volunteers dearly and hope to provide an engaging Festival experiences for all who pledge their support. We’ll also make sure you get your hands on some tangible goodies and mementos from your experience.

How to get involved! If you’d like to volunteer you can either go to our to volunteer section of our website (http://www.torontopflag.org/get-involved/volunteer) or send an email to [email protected]

We’re looking forward to having an amazing festival together!

Toronto Pflag volunteers 2014

International Day Against Homophobia Transphobia and Biphobia IDAHTB May 2015

Toronto Parents, Families, Friends & Allies of the LGBTQ* Community, along with City Councillors, Community Leaders, and a number of Community Organizations were present as Mayor John Tory read the proclamation against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia in the City of Toronto

Marla Green VP, Anne Creighton Pres, Mayor John Tory, and Michael Ain Board Member

Anne, Mayor John Tory and City Councillors

After Mayor John Ford read the proclamation

REMINDER: New West End Support Meeting

We did it! Toronto Pflag now has TWO support meetings each month: the original meeting on the first Wednesday at Coxwell continues and now a meeting on the second Tuesday is happening at St. Olave’s Church on Windermere between Jane and Runnymede.

THANK YOU

Toronto Pflag wants to offer a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to the wonderful people who have recently made a donation to Toronto Pflag. Your donations are allowing us to continue offering our 24/7 Telephone Support Line, our Monthly Support Meetings and our ongoing outreach and community support.

If you would like to help, you can make a donation through the secure servers at CanadaHelps.org (charitable donation receipts are issued automatically), and if you wish you can specify that your donation remain anonymous, or you can choose to honour someone or a special occasion.

Or you may send a cheque to Toronto Pflag, 200 Wolverleigh Blvd., Toronto, ON, M4C 1S2. (charitable donation receipts will be issued for amounts of $20+)

DONATE NOW http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s70090

Charitable Registration BN: 891493348RR0001