Every few years, Toronto Pflag celebrates some amazing people who have shown themselves to be strong allies of the LGBTQ2S+ community, with a special emphasis on helping youth or families. Toronto Pflag families are delighted to celebrate our newest Ally Award Winners, Terrence, Sam and Marla, on Thursday, October 17th, 2019, at The 519 Community Centre on Church Street.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW through EVENTBRITE!
On October 17th 2019, Toronto Pflag invites LGBTQ2S+ families, their allies & supporters to help honour the incredible work of three tremendous allies to our LGBTQ2S+ community. This is an after-work fundraising cocktail reception at The 519, 6:00pm-8:30pm. Tickets include live entertainment and an Ally Awards ceremony hosted by Colin Mochrie and Debra McGrath, as well as hors d'oeuvres & drinks. Expect raffle prizes including $1000 in Air Canada Travel, $500 at The Bay, a 50/50 draw, guest artists and more!
Tickets are $60 in advance ($70, at the door)
All funds raised in support of Toronto Pflag
Ally Awards is presented with the support of our sponsors: The 519, Steam Whistle Brewing, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Beattie's Distillers and PepsiCo.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2019 WINNERS!
All Toronto Pflag Ally Award recipients exemplify our organization’s mission by meeting the following criteria:
An individual or group who has made a significant contribution toward promoting the health and well-being of gender and sexual minorities and their families and friends in Toronto, through support and/or education.
This year our winners also embody our 2019 theme: Champions for LGBTQ2S+ Students and Youth.
Join us as we congratulate:
Sam Hammond - President of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) who launched a court challenge and mobilized elementary teachers to support sex ed in elementary schools,
Marla Green - Pflag mom extraordinaire and former Toronto Pflag board member who runs the Coxwell monthly meeting, answers the support line three days a week, visits schools and does corporate workshops, and
Terrence Rodriguez - founder and director of REX Pride, a group dedicated to LGBTQ2S+ youth in Rexdale who are not accepted by their families. He supports these kids, making sure they have a place to sleep, food in their tummies and understand they are perfect and they are loved.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW through EVENTBRITE!
Follow our Facebook event page for talent announcements and latest news!
Toronto Pflag Ally Award hosts COLIN MOCHRIE and DEBRA McGRATH
Toronto Pflag is thrilled to announce our emcees, Colin Mochrie and Debra McGrath, comedic powerhouse duo who are perfect hosts for our event, sharing with the Pflag experience as proud parents of their trans daughter, Kinley.
Colin Mochrie is an alumnus of Toronto's famous Second City comedy troupe, a cast member of ''This Hour Has 22 Minutes'' and legendary regular on ''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'', British and American versions. Currently he is part of an awesome tour of “Whose Line” with cast-mate Brad Sherwood, ive improv shows across North America.
Debra McGrath is Second City veteran, whose been seen on "Private Eyes", “Little Mosque on the Prairie”, “Degrassi” and "Getting Along Famously” a series she created with her husband Colin Mochrie. Also known to our big and small youth alike as a regular voice in animated series like Beetlejuice and Sailor Moon. Deb has a star on the Scarborough Walk of Fame and recently won best actress at Canada’s short film Festival.
We hope you will join Colin & Debra, Toronto Pflag families and our supporters for a celebration of local Champions for LGBTQ2S+ Students and Youth, a fundraiser, and special cocktail reception @ The 519 on Church Street, 6pm-830pm, October 17th, 2019
A peak at past Toronto Pflag Ally Award Events
Past Winners & Guest Hosts
2012: Ally Award to Brian Burke (Maple Leafs General Manager), who worked to improve acceptance of LGBTQ2S+ athletes in professional and recreational sports.
with Intro by Rick Mercer and presentation by Ron McLean (Hockey Night in Canada)
2013: Rosie O'Donnell presents Ally Award to
(1) Sharon Gless for her riveting and genuine portrayal of a Proud Pflag Mom on television's Queer as Folk.
and (2) Yasir Naqvi, Cheri DiNovo, and Christine Elliott. MPPs from across the political spectrum who co-sponsored Toby’s Act, which added gender identity and gender expression as protected classes under the Ontario Civil Rights Code.
2016 - (1) Jim (Olaf) Callaghan, for 25 years of volunteering with Toronto Pflag and Pflag Canada.
and - (2) Sonia Smith, for creating safe spaces and watching over our LGBTQ loved ones as the head of security at FLY Nightclub at the heart of Toronto’s gay community.
Come support our 2019 Ally Award Winners at this year’s fantastic event on Oct 17 - Get your tickets here!