History of Pride Month
Pride is more than a celebration – it’s a powerful act of remembrance, resistance, and visibility.
In Canada, Pride traces its roots to the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City, which sparked a global movement. In Toronto, the first unofficial Pride gathering took place in 1971, led by activists demanding human rights for gay and lesbian communities. Today, Pride honours the trailblazers, especially Black, trans, and Two-Spirit leaders who fought and continue to fight for justice and liberation.
Pride Month is also about honouring the diversity of 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Canada. No matter what your identity is under the “2SLGBTQ+ umbrella,” queer and trans people continue to create space for joy, advocacy, and belonging, despite ongoing systemic and structural challenges.
Importance of Pride
Pride is a global time of solidarity and, in Ontario, the need is urgent.
Current research has shown that queer youth are overrepresented in child welfare systems. These youth face disproportionate risks:
- Increased houselessness
- Mental health struggles
- Discrimination in care settings
- Family rejection and isolation
These risks are intensified for youth who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, and/or living with disabilities, many of whom face intersecting forms of oppression.
Globally, 2SLGBTQ+ rights continue to be under threat. In some countries, identities are criminalized. In others, social and legal backlashes are erasing hard-won progress. That’s why Pride is still necessary; because freedom, safety, and dignity should never be conditional.
In Ontario and beyond, Pride is a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ brilliance and resilience. We can do this by amplifying the voices of those still being silenced and showing our support 365 days a year. Pride is not just a month – it’s a movement.
OACAS Role in Pride
At the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS), Pride Month is an important time to reaffirm our year-round commitment to 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth, families, and staff in the child welfare system.
Through our SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression) Initiative, we work to address the unique challenges faced by 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth, and families. Some of our key actions in the past year include:
- Youth Engagement: Our provincial 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Council amplifies the voices of young people with lived experience, shaping services and advocacy from the ground up.
- Sector Tools: Our Community Partnerships Guide helps agencies build trusted, affirming relationships with 2SLGBTQ+ organizations across Ontario.
- Innovative Practice: Our SOGIE Decision-Making pilot project is supporting child welfare professionals to centre 2SLGBTQ+ identities in critical planning moments along the Child Protection Standards continuum.
We know that creating safe, affirming systems is essential, not optional. Pride is a time to honour and uplift the voices of queer and trans youth, and a time to renew our commitment to systemic change.
We are proud to stand with 2SLGBTQ+ communities today and every day.
For more information about the dedicated work towards 2SLGBTQ+ equity at OACAS, please contact the SOGIE Initiative at sogie@oacas.org.
