The 519
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Pride celebration at The 519 in 1988. Photograph by Kyle Rae.
This community centre has been a cornerstone of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQIA+ activism and support since the 1970s. Located at 519 Church Street, the building was initially condemned in the early 1970s, but local advocacy from the North Jarvis Community Association successfully prevented its demolition. In 1975, the City of Toronto purchased the property, establishing the 519 Church Street Community Centre alongside Cawthra Square Park, now named Barbara Hall Park. The building received Heritage designation in 1986, and in 2026, a new plaque was installed with updated historical information on the community centre.To this day, The 519 operates as a public-private partnership with the city, serving both the local Church-Wellesley community and the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ population.
From its inception, The 519 has been at the forefront of queer rights, responding to the evolving needs of the community. It has provided essential programming for same-sex parents and their families, street-involved youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors, and Toronto’s trans and racialized queer populations. In the 1980s, The 519 became a critical gathering space during the AIDS crisis, offering resources and support. In the 1990s and 2000s, it expanded its services, launching initiatives like education and employment programs for trans people, refugee support, and community-led advocacy projects.
Flyer for Limyn, an annual summer dance party by Zami.
Flyer advertising the Meal-Trans program at The 519.
Poster for the symposium "Building a Global Transgendered HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategy" organized by The 519 as part of their trans programmes.
Poster for the Transmission Zine run by the Supporting Our Youth (SOY) program at The 519.
Some of the notable programs and groups that have met at The 519 include Zami, a support group for 2SLGBTQ+ Black and West Indian communities; “The Meal Trans Program,” the first trans-specific program at The 519, providing low-income individuals with nutritious food and community support; and “Families Against Homophobia,” a partnership with the Toronto District School Board to create an inclusive curriculum for children of 2SLGBTQ+ parents.
Over the decades, The 519 has played a key role in 2SLGBTQIA+ organizing, from supporting Toronto’s first Pride events to hosting demonstrations against anti-queer violence and discrimination.
In 1988, pneumocystis pneumonia was the leading cause of death for people living with HIV/AIDS. In response, Health Canada approved a clinical trial that provided half of its participants with a placebo rather than the treatment. There was a high chance that some of the participants would die proving something that had already been demonstrated in American trials. This photograph was taken during AIDS Action Now!'s first public demonstration on March 25, 1988. The demonstration started at the 519 Community Centre and ended at the Toronto General Hospital whee a candlelight vigil was held.
Demonstration at the 519 Community Centre. Photograph by David Adkin.
Entrance to the 519. 2026.
The centre has also been home to “Supporting Our Youth” (SOY), a program that provides support to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness, poverty, or social isolation, with a focus on racialized and newcomer youth; “The Trans Youth Mentorship Program,” which has created opportunities for trans and non-binary youth to receive guidance from older mentors in navigating healthcare, employment, and personal development; and “The LGBTQ+ Refugee Peer Support Program,” which plays a vital role in helping 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seekers adjust to life in Canada, providing legal resources, housing support, and mental health services.
Today, it continues to be a charitable non-profit organization, providing a safe and affirming space through social services, advocacy, and cultural programming. One of Canada’s most vital 2SLGBTQIA+ community centres, The 519 remains a symbol of resilience, empowerment, and progress in the heart of Toronto’s gay village.