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A PRIDE History Synopsis

What is the history of PRIDE? The following is a highlight of the moments in history that shaped PRIDE and it’s significance. You can read about Canada’s PRIDE history and the milestone events here. 

Information Box Group

Canada's Bill C-150 Everett George Klippert and Bill C-150

Canada’s Bill C-150 receives royal assent on June 27, 1969, the day before the Stonewall Riots in NYC.

The Stonewall Riots Learn more about the Stonewall Riots

On June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera ignited a movement!

“You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.”- Marsha P. Johnson

Diana Davies/Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

The We Demand March Read about this first recorded political action

It has been called the We Demand March or Canada’s First Gay Liberation Protest and March. On August 28, 1971, over 100 people marched on Parliament Hill.

The ArQuives Photograph by Jearld Moldenhauer

PRIDE Week 1973 PRIDE history in Toronto

Pride Week and the concept of Gay Pride emerges into the 1970’s in Toronto.

Image: © Jearld Moldenhauer/jearldmoldenhauer.com

Enough is Enough Read about Operation Soap

Operation Soap in the 1980’s led to what some call Canada’s Stonewall.

Photo: courtesy of the Arquives #PrideMonth #pridehistory

Amplified Voices! Read about what lead to change

In the 2000’s, a tipping point changes the conversation and 2SLGBTQIA+ Black, Indigenous and Racialized voices are amplified.

Credit: Nick Lachance, Mark Bogdanovic, Francesca Roh/Xtra

The Evolving History of the Pride Flag Watch the evolution

What is the history of the Pride Flag and why are there so many different versions?

Celebration! Read about notable Queer folks

Celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ Black, Indigenous and Racialized communities during PRIDE month and beyond!

Elisha Lim, “Two co-founders of 2-Qtpoc Montréal, Li Wai-Yant and Marshia Celina” (2013) (photo by the author)

The Transgender Archives Learn More about the archives

The largest Transgender Archives in the world are housed on the traditional territory of the Songhees, Esquimalt and W?SÁNE? people. Preserving the history of trans, non-binary and Two-Spirit activism and research dating back to 1893.

Mapping the Void Read the report

A research partnership among McMaster UniversityThe AIDS Network and Hamilton community researchers who identify as Two-Spirit and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer (2019).