Info for 2018 Toronto Pride marches

[Omnes et Nihil]

• Pride Parade: Sunday, June 24, 2018: 1:30pm (# D 26) on Bloor near Ted Rogers Way /Jarvis. (Immediately behind the Toronto Bisexual Network) There is a minute of silence at 3pm for “commemorating and honouring the members of our community that we have lost to HIV/AIDS, homophobic and transphobic laws, and hate crimes.” 
  -- If anyone needs to borrow a wheelchair to participate, please let me know asap!
  
  New this year: Following Parade (around 6pm?), there will be a separate remembrance “Until We’re Safe” march “to commemorate those we’ve lost and to demand action against continuing violence”. It’s open to anyone and they’ll be removing the barriers to let spectators join in. It begins on Bloor just east of Yonge St. and people are encouraged to wear black. Anyone who participate in the Pride Parade who also wants to participate also in the remembrance march has to go back up to where the parade started or can join in anywhere on the parade route.
   
• Trans March: Friday, June 22, 2018: 7pm at the North East corner of Church and Hayden (by the large brown pillar on the corner of that building)
   
• Dyke March: Saturday, June 23, 2018: 1pm at the North East corner of Church and Hayden (by the large brown pillar on the corner of the building)
   

More details below

Spoiler

1. *** Trans March: Friday, June 22, 2018– rally at 7pm and the march begins at 8 pm
   Meetup: 7 pm at the North East corner of Church and Hayden (by the large brown pillar on the corner of that building)
   Allies/Everyone welcome!
    
2. *** Dyke March: Saturday, June 23, 2018– rally & staging at 1pm and the march begins at 2pm
   Meetup: 1pm at the North East corner of Church and Hayden (by the large brown pillar on the corner of the building)
   March specifically for queer and/or trans women, and dykes of various genders (including non-binary dykes).– and yes, “queer” is the terminology the Dyke March uses. (other allies asked to show their support by cheering from the sidelines)
   Note: We will be a very small group and people might or might not be wearing their ace shirts, so we might be hard to find.
   If you’re planning to attend and haven’t yet RSVP’d, please do so now (asexual.toronto.pride@gmail.com) so we know to look for you.
    
3. *** Pride Parade: Sunday, June 24, 2018– the parade begins at 2pm and we’re closer to the beginning of very long parade but not in the first staging group.
   Our meetup time is 1:30pm (# D 26-- directly after the Toronto Bisexal Network) on Bloor near Ted Rogers Way /Jarvis
   Note: Don’t arrive early because there won’t be anywhere to line up before our time, and the marshalls will be unhappy.
   Allies/Everyone welcome. (And we especially invite trans/nb and bi/pan folks and folks with more radical politics who don’t have anyone else to participate with to march with us.)
   Note: they have a new rule this year about covered faces: 
   “all participants must be prepared and willing to show their faces to Parade Organizers and officials if requested”
   – Be prepared for lots of standing and waiting. (If anyone needs to sign out a wheelchair to participate, please let me know asap: asexual.toronto.pride@gmail.com).
   – TTC: Bloor/Younge is the closest TTC station with an elevator, but it will be very crowded with parade observers and very difficult to navigate. It is usually easier and faster for those who do not need an elevator to go to Sherbourne Station and walk west on Bloor. 
   *** If you’re planning to participate in the post-Parade “Until We’re Safe March”, be prepared for extra walking & waiting. And maybe bring some black clothing (optional).

 

General Notes:

• None of the marches seem to be planning any parts that are scent-free. The Trans March and Dyke March last year both aimed to have the front be scent-free and smoke-free, but that isn’t in their info this year...
   
• I will have t-shirts with me at the Trans March and Pride parade for people to pick up who’s asked for them, and a few extras. T-shirts are pwyc with a suggested donation of $5-$10 to cover the cost of the shirt (about $6.75).
   
• We are collecting money to help cover the cost of participating in the Pride parade / sampling permit to be able to give out info (which comes out to about $150). If you have not yet donated anything but would like you, you can bring your donation to the marches. Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated!
   
• Dress for the weather because you will be outside for a long period of time (this might include things like having sunscreen and water and possibly wearing a hat, especially for the Dyke March and Pride Parade)
   
• If you are planning to attend a march and don’t already have the cell phone number and would like it for meetup-purposes please e-mail for it (asexual.toronto.pride@gmail.com).