It's Pride weekend in Toronto and there's more happening than you think
CBC
Friday marks the official kickoff of the Toronto Pride festival weekend and beyond the parade itself, there are plenty of under-the-radar events you might not want to miss.
The Church and Wellesley Village, where many of the events will be happening, will be closed all weekend to host the annual street festival.
On Friday night, there's the Trans Pride Rally and March. The Dyke Pride Rally and March is scheduled for Saturday evening and the Pride Parade begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The weekend also means road closures. Beginning Friday night, Church Street will be closed between Hayden and Dundas streets. Wellesley Street will also be closed between Yonge and Jarvis streets. And during the parade, stretches of Bloor, Yonge Dundas and Bay streets will also be closed. You can find full list of road closures here.
But while the main festivities occur in the village, some event organizers, like fitness coach Kate Fowley, say it's important to offer alternatives.
"Not everybody wants to be around big crowds and party in that way," she told CBC Toronto. "Part of Pride is celebrating who you are and everybody, regardless of who they are, should have outlets to do so."
That's why she's organizing two Pride charity workouts on Saturday morning at the F54 gym in the Parkwoods neighbourhood. All proceeds from the workouts will be donated to the 519 Community Centre on Church Street.
"They do so much for so many people who rely on the resources that they offer," Fowley said. "So if we can do something to help them help other people, I think that's a staple and a pillar of our community."
The workouts are scheduled for 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Also on Saturday, Queer Skate founder Chantal Garcia is hosting a Pride event at the Dufferin Grove skate park featuring a barbecue and prizes to give away.
Garcia said she started Queer Skate to help make space for the LGBTQ+ community in spaces typically dominated by straight, cisgender men.
"It took me a really long time to become comfortable going to skate parks," she said. Now, she's aiming to open doors for anyone who wants to join in, whether they're skateboarding pros or new to the sport.
"We've got a DJ and we'll be taking over the skate park for as long as we can."
The Queer Skate Pride event starts at 12 p.m. and lessons will be given every hour.
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