Who is Anthony Mohamed?
Anthony Mohamed is a gay, South Asian, Caribbean, Canadian activist and equity worker in Toronto. He has been a pivotal figure in various advocacy groups and organizations spanning decades. Some of these include but are not limited to:
- AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT)
- Lesbian & Gay Youth of Toronto (LGYT)
- Gay Community Dance Community
- ZAMI
- the 519
- Pink Patrol
- Toronto Counselling Centre for Lesbians & Gays
- Toronto Public Health's HIV/AIDS peer education program
- Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAP/ASAAP)
- AIDS ACTION NOW!
- Khush: South Asian Gay Men of Toronto
- AIDS Cultural Network (ACN)
- St. Michael's Hospital
Born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1967, Mohamed relocated to Toronto in 1969, where his journey as an activist began to take shape. His upbringing in a faith-oriented environment instilled in him a sense of purpose that intertwined with his activism. However, his early experiences with discrimination within religious spaces, including being asked to leave a church due to his sexual orientation, marked the beginning of his outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ rights.
Anthony Mohamed (third from the left), at a ZAMI gathering at 519 Church.
Mohamed's activism gained momentum during his high school years when he participated in anti-racist and equity initiatives such as Camp Kandalore. Encounters with notable activists like Tim McCaskell, Richard Fung, and Olivia Chow further fueled his dedication to effecting change. Despite facing physical violence, namely an attack by two men, Mohamed persisted in his activism, finding solace and solidarity within groups like the Lesbian and Gay Youth of Toronto, ZAMI, and Khush.
As the AIDS crisis entered the picture, Mohamed's involvement expanded to include volunteer work with organizations like the AIDS Committee of Toronto and the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP). His leadership within ASAAP, where he served as a coordinator and then the first Executive Director, exemplified his commitment to confronting the intersectional challenges faced by LGBTQ communities of colour in the context of HIV/AIDS.
Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly to address issues of race, spirituality, and sexuality, emphasizing the importance of inclusive representation and support for marginalized communities. His enduring dedication to equity and community engagement, spanning over 28 years at St. Michael's Hospital, underscores his ongoing devotion to advancing social justice.
For more about Anthony’s journey, check out his oral history interview!