THE ORIGINS OF PRIDE TORONTO

"Bathhouse Raids Protest, 1981 (Undercover Police Indicated)," 1981.

On August 1st, 1971, the Community Homophile Association of Toronto (CHAT) and Toronto Gay Action hosted a Gay Day Picnic at Hanlan’s Point. The 300 individuals in attendance organized and planned the “We Demand” march that would occur in Ottawa later in the month. The following year, the city had its first ever Pride parade, in which 75 individuals marched to Toronto City Hall, demanding Queer liberation and the end to discrimination many faced in their homes, workplaces, and by law authorities. On February 5th, 1981, hundreds of Toronto Police officers raided a series of gay clubs and bathhouses along Yonge Street. Over three-hundred men were arrested under the bawdy house laws– making it the largest mass arrest in Canadian history at the time. The next day, demonstrations took over the streets of Toronto, protesting the arrest of the men.

"Fuck You 52," 1981.

From then onwards, marches and rallies would occur in the city on almost a yearly basis. In 1985, a coalition was formed by the various groups in the city, making Pride an organization. The organization also began to receive funding from corporate sponsors. In 1995, Pride Toronto was incorporated. However the 1990’s saw points of contention between those who saw Pride as a protest, versus those who considered it a celebration. In the early 2000’s, the parade started to receive funding from the City of Toronto directly, as it was recognized for its popularity as a tourist event. Pride became a part of the culture of the city, and a staple festival in June.