On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Toronto Pflag families and volunteers gathered at Toronto City Hall Podium Green Roof courtesy flag pole to raise the Progress Pride Flag to recognize the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHTB).
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia raises awareness about the violence and discrimination faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community and in 2023 the International Theme selected by May17.org: "Together Always: United in Diversity" serves as a reminder for us all to work together in solidarity, community and allyship to oppose hate and violence in all its forms, including the rise in hate targeting trans and queer communities because of gender and sexuality.
In 2023, Toronto Pflag invited the Honourable Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie to read the IDAHTB Proclamation and raise the Progress Pride Flag, and she was joined by City Councillors Paul Ainslie, Shelley Carroll, Chris Moise and Asuma Malik. Toronto Pflag's MC Anne Creighton then invited three guest speakers, all Pflag volunteers doing incredible work across the GTA.
Tristan Coolman, President of Pflag Canada, York Region, discussed recent events at a recent York Catholic School Board Meeting, where a group of parents shouted an onslaught of derogatory and bigoted rhetoric to community members, including queer students, who were present to discuss a flag raising at their school. Pflag York Region pushed back about the lack of response by the York Catholic School Board and stood up for queer and trans students in the face of such ugly behaviour by these parents. About a week later, we saw Ontario’s Minister of Education making an encouraging statement on the topic of flag raisings and Pride events in publicly-funded schools (which include the York Catholic School Board). Read the statement here. Toronto Pflag would like to think in part this firm response was made in the face of push back from concerned citizens like Tristan and the Pflag York team.
Toronto Pflag also welcomed speaker Elsie Lee, to talk about the launch of Toronto Pflag's new East Asian Family Support pilot, and the need to develop resources to meet the language and cultural needs of LGBTQ2S+ families and newcomers.
Toronto Pflag Vice President Stephanie Woolley also shared her voice on Toronto Pflag's successful Transfemme and Nonbinary initiative, and the importance of continued Advocacy in these times.
