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Pride Month Resources + Reflections
This month for pride I wanted to include our incredible team by having them share some ways they celebrate and support the LGBTQ2S+ communities along with resources they have connected with. We all come from different lived experiences and are on different paths of learning and unlearning. It’s important to open up our perspectives and learn from each other to progress. I’m grateful for a team of open-minded folks willing to share with us!
Leah Eyles (She/Her); Owner of Scout
Whether you identify with the LGBTQ2S+ community or not, how do you celebrate Pride and support the LGBTQ2S+ community in June and beyond?
As my life values are intertwined with my business values I take what I learn in life and apply it in business, and vice versa.
I support the LGBTQ2S+ community through listening and educating myself which naturally flows into the ongoing work of offering a safe space for customers and employees. I want everyone in the shops to feel comfortable every day of the year, and I know that feels different for everyone, so it is always evolving! I consider my language and how I approach situations, letting go of bias and binary thinking, to make more space for those who would appreciate the safety that thoughtfulness may provide. This applies in both work and life!
In work, I celebrate the LGBTQ2S+ communities throughout the year by making sure I have inclusive representation in the shops, be that through LGBTQ2S+ owned brands, or products. I stay in touch with what is happening in Canada and the rest of the world around LGBTQ2S+ rights. I feel that is a catalyst to continue the momentum of making sure LGBTQ2S+ folks feel seen and supported.
Though I consider this year round, pride month always serves as a reminder for me to mentally review my business and myself, a little personal check in to see where I could be doing better or where I feel I am doing well. It’s to bring even more love and attention to the LGBTQ2S+ communities and to remember the history that brought us where we are today.
Do you have any LGBTQ+ resources or businesses that you connect with and want to share?
My favourite way to better understand folks whose experiences may differ from mine has always been through reading. Here are a few of my recent LGBTQ2S+ literary faves:
Nevada By Imogen Binnie Just finished this book that was written 10 years ago and has since had a resurgence. Very insightful look into the trans experience.
In The Dream House By Carmen Maria Machado A memoir that looks into an abusive same-sex relationship.
The Great Believers By Rebecca Makkai A look into the AIDS epidemic from both past and present perspectives.
Jonny Appleseed By Joshua Whitehead A story about a young Indigiqueer Two-Spirit. Different from anything I have ever read! Another new perspective on something I didn’t know very much about.
Other great reads and resources:
- The history of the Toronto Bathhouse Raids
- The history of the stone wall uprising
- Some LGBTQ2S+ businesses in Toronto to support all year round!
Reid (they/them); Roncesvalles Sales Associate
Whether you identify with the LGBTQ2S+ community or not, how do you celebrate Pride and support the LGBTQ2S+ community in June and beyond?
I am bi and trans :) Celebrating the community can look many different ways. Pride can be a time of preformative allyship, ensuring we are supporting those most marginalised in the community every day is essential. Community is key.
Do you have any LGBTQ2S+ resources or businesses that you connect with and want to share?
Rainbow Health Ontario Rainbow Health Ontario creates opportunities for the healthcare system to better serve 2SLGBTQ communities.
Toronto PFlag Toronto Pflag promotes the health and well-being of LGBTQ2S+ people by helping to keep families together through Support and Education.
Performance of Transgender Inclusion Really good article. I cite it a lot!
Track Two Enough is Enough Doc Bathhouse raids/history of pride in Toronto Documentary
The Arquives The Arquives was established to aid in the recovery and preservation of LGBTQ+ histories
Glad Day Lit Glad Day Lit is a non-profit organization created to expand funding to further support LGBTQ+ artists and writers
Buddies In Bad Times Toronto’s leading destination for artistically rigorous alternative theatre and a world leader in developing queer voices and stories for the stage.
Trans Lifeline Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
Kimiko (she/her); Sales Associate Mostly at Roncy and Occasionally at Leslieville
Whether you identify with the LGBTQ2S+ community or not, how do you celebrate Pride and support the LGBTQ2S+ community in June and beyond?
I am always trying my best to listen, learn/unlearn and to be open to perspectives I haven’t necessarily had experience with or previously considered. To this end I’ve been trying to read more books (fiction and non-fiction) by LGBTQ2S+ authors - I’m currently reading Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado.
Do you have any LGBTQ2S+ resources or businesses that you connect with and want to share?
A friend of mine works at The 519 and through them I’ve learned about the many initiatives this organization provides in the city, including legal education clinics and workshops.
My friend Stephanie Camille is a Toronto-based biracial lesbian artist whose work I have had the privilege of being a part of this year.
Doreyjean (she/her); Leslieville + Roncy Senior Sales Associate
Do you have any LGBTQ2S+ resources or businesses that you connect with and want to share?
For my birthday this year, I went to a Drag Bingo hosted by Messy Productions at the Rec Room. They host other bingo nights at The Well on Church St and shows around the city. I highly recommend it for a fun time, their next bingo night is June 4th at The Rec Room! https://
My most recent tattoo was at Witch Hazel Tattoo by Ketzia Kobrah. The shop is holding a Pride Charity Flash Day on June 3rd with 100% of proceeds (including tips!!) going to the George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre/Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre. The centre is an accessible, multi-use community centre located in the Junction Triangle, with a special focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Witch Hazel Tattoo @_kobrah
A regular at our Roncesvalles location whose beauty and fashion we marvel at, Myles Sexton, is a content curator, creative director, stylist, MUA, HIV/AIDS and sobriety activist and queer fashion nomad based in Ontario, Canada. Give 'em a follow @mylessexton
Josh (he/him); Leslieville Sales Associate
Whether you identify with the LGBTQ2S+ community or not, how do you celebrate Pride and support the LGBTQ2S+ community in June and beyond?
I identify as queer. How I celebrate pride changes every year, especially as I get older. These days I'm less interested in the parties (crowds) and more interested in learning more about my community's history - a practice I intentionally try to carry through the entire year. I will be going to one pride event this year though - Yohomo's "Love on Top" at The Bentway - and I'm looking forward to seeing friends and people I don't often get to see, all while celebrating outdoors.
Do you have any LGBTQ2S+ resources or businesses that you connect with and want to share?
How Toronto Got Queer - great book of essays about Toronto's queer history.
The Arqives - the largest independent LGBTQ2+ Archives in the world and since 1973 the only LGBTQ2+ archives in Canada with a national scope. Located right here in Toronto and celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
Glad Day Bookshop - the world's oldest queer bookstore. Located at Church and Wellesley they also operate a cafe / restaurant and host events regularly.
Yohomo - queer artist collective in Toronto. They host parties, events, workshops and more and frequently shine a spotlight on other queer happenings in the city. They’re my go-to place to find out what's currently happening in Toronto's queer culture.
Suvasni Duggal (she/her); Sales Associate
Whether you identify with the LGBTQ2S+ community or not, how do you celebrate Pride and support the LGBTQ2S+ community in June and beyond?
I just moved to Toronto from India in 2022. In India the LGBTQ2S community has hosted a few modest rallies and gatherings, but it's still frowned upon. The city I was from had a few celebrations but they were quite close knit, therefore I never took part.
About 2-3 years ago, a Bollywood movie about LOVE is LOVE called Badhaai Do came out that I can recall received a standing ovation from the audience, it was quite unexpected and I was really happy with the progress.
I have been invited to the pride parade in Toronto by one of my LGBTQ+ friends and I could not be more thrilled to take part on 25 June.
Aaron (he/they); Leslieville Sales Associate
Do you have any LGBTQ2S+ resources or businesses that you connect with and want to share?
I went to an alternative highschool called Inglenook Community Highschool which was super important for my final stretch of graduating. Wanted to give them a shout out for their supports, resources and inclusivity
Also wanted to mention Witch Hazel Tattoo which is a Tattoo studio in Toronto off Bloor St W. they held a special Pride Flash Tattoo Charity with proceeds going to support George Chuvalo Neighbourhood centre which focuses on 2SLGBTQIA+ programming
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I hope these resources and reflections inspire you to seek out a new article or book, and remind you to support your LGBTQ+ businesses year round. We need to remember that along with the celebrating, pride is a time to reflect and understand what movements have brought us where we are, along with serving as a reminder there is still so much work to be done.