From Pride Flag raising ceremonies at all three campuses to the annual #DisplayYourPride campaign, June was full of opportunities to come together, celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ communities at U of T and globally, and renew our commitment to combatting homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. We asked event organizers from across the tri-campus to share their favourite highlights from Pride Month 2023. Use the tabs below to view their answers and photos.
Pride Pub
“Pride Pub is a cherished and not-to-be-missed tradition for so many that spans three decades. It’s an important moment for the university to welcome new and familiar members of its three campuses, as well as alumni and the surrounding community, to gather with the 2SLGBTQ+ community in celebration. The people, the music, the space, and the food make it an incredibly special event for so many people. This year’s Pride Pub was particularly special thanks to a performance by South Asian dance troupe Naach for Fun. Students and staff shared how pleased they were to finally have South Asian music fill Hart House and a Pride event. I was reminded that a sense of belonging and inclusion is achieved when we welcome and celebrate the diverse and vibrant cultures in our campus communities.”
David Pereira (he/him)
Acting Director, Sexual & Gender Diversity Office
Family Pride PA Day
“The Family Care Office (FCO) was excited to collaborate with Hart House, Queer U of T Employees (QUTE) and Positive Space to host U of T’s first Family Pride PA Day. It was beautiful to see the diverse families who attended the event reflected in the artworks created. The kids and kids-at-heart created a banner that said ‘Every Family Belongs,’ which the FCO brought to Pride Pub the week following. As a queer parent, I treasure events where my kiddo is surrounded by families that have different formations, numbers of parents, and gender expressions. We were honoured to help create that space this year for many families.”
Natasja VanderBerg (she/they)
Faculty Relocation & Family Caregiver Leave Specialist, Faculty Relocation Service & Family Care Office
Pride & Remembrance Run
“At the Pride & Remembrance Run, the University of Toronto team along with thousands of others helped raise funds for amazing 2SLGBTQ+ community organizations in Toronto. This was also a personal achievement for many of us non-runners, who reached the finish line thanks to the loud and supportive cheers of those on the sidelines and the fun atmosphere created by fellow runners. The run felt like a 5K long celebration of love, acceptance and perseverance – everything Pride is about.”
Carmen Kehman (she/her)
Program Coordinator, Sexual & Gender Diversity Office
Keyboard Fantasies: Celebrating the Works of Beverly Glenn-Copeland
“A highlight was spending the Keyboard Fantasies event with an intergenerational crowd of fans of Beverly Glenn-Copeland. I learned about his slow build, seeing how ahead of his time he has always been (sonically and socially). During the film and panel discussion with other queer and trans musicians and artists, he noted that this did not feel like it was a long-time coming, rather that he was ready for it [the honorary degree from U of T] now. It reminded me that change and accomplishment can feel slow, but that sometimes what we are doing is planting seeds for the future, and we can hold on to the hope that we will see them bloom.”
Scout Swartz (they/them)
Program Coordinator, Sexual & Gender Diversity Office
The Pussy Palace: An Instagram Story
“Monica Khoshaien and I worked with the LGBTQ Digital History Collaboratory, a research-creation lab at UTM led by Professor Elspeth Brown, to host the first-ever physical iteration of The Pussy Palace: An Instagram Story at UTSC’s Gallery 1265. It’s been a joy seeing the flow of visitors engaging with the digital exhibit, which include narratives of attendees and organizers from the Pussy Palace bathhouse events. My hope with this exhibit is that it sparks grounded and intentional conversations on campus about what it means to truly celebrate Pride, and showcases ways that queer communities work together to release stigma associated with sexual minority practices.”
Diana Pearson (they/she)
UTSC Positive Space Co-Chair
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Coordinator, UTSC
Pride Pitch UTM
“The Pride Pitch event was a true highlight, celebrating the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the 2SLGBTQ+ student community. It provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and contribute to positive change. Witnessing the innovative concepts presented by the finalists, such as Raasta AI with their AI-powered personalized travel recommendations, was inspiring. It was an event of great significance, amplifying the voices and contributions of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and paving the way for a more inclusive future.”
Ignacio Mongrell (he/him)
UTM Positive Space Co-Chair
Assistant Director, ICUBE UTM
Share Your Pride
The Sexual & Gender Diversity Office is creating an e-magazine highlighting Pride Month 2023 and other 2SLGBTQ+ focused activities that took place at U of T in 2022-23. Students, staff, faculty, and librarians are invited to submit event highlights and photos, as well as creative contributions (poetry, visual art, music, personal narratives, etc.) exploring their experiences as trans or queer members of the U of T community during Pride. Learn more about this project.
