The 519

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. A decade later, it remains a stark reminder of the devastating impact of hate-motivated violence against 2SLGBTQ+ communities and of the importance of protecting and strengthening the safer spaces we have built.

We remember the 49 lives tragically lost on June 12, 2016. Each person was deeply loved and had hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future. As we honour their memory, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advocate for the safety of all 2SLGBTQ+ people, especially those who are most vulnerable.

[Image description: Portraits of the 49 people who lost their lives in the tragedy, followed by a list of their names and ages.]

Join Chris James on Sunday, June 21 from 12 to 4 p.m. for a free self-defense class at The 519. This is part of a monthly workshop series taking place one Sunday each month.

RSVP is required: The519.org/programs/self-defense-workshop/ or head to the link in bio.

The workshop is for all fitness levels, but it is a physical class. You can take breaks any time you want to.

Anyone 18+ is welcome too. The session might talk about real-life scenarios that may be triggering to some.

[Image description: Chris James demonstrating a self-defense technique with a volunteer participant. Text reads: "Monthly Self Defense for 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Sunday, June 21, 12 to 4 p.m. at The 519. All are welcome. RSVP required.]

We recently gathered neighbours and community members in Barbara Hall Park for Mino M’shki-ki: Sacred Fire and Park Clean-up. It was an opportunity to ready the park together for warmer days and opportunities to connect at Pride and beyond.

Folks tied to***co and shared experiences around the Sacred Fire. Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers Kurt Wolfear and Waabshkaa Mkwa guided us in a meaningful reflection of what it means to care for the land we are on, its resources, and for each other. We ended by sharing a warm meal of three sisters soup, berries, and bannock.

We look forward to more opportunities when we can gather, collaborate, and play in the park together.

[Images descriptions: People sitting around a Sacred Fire with sacred medicines to***co, cedar, sage, and sweetgrass. Participants cleaing the park. A shared meal is served at an outdoor table with soup and berries. Views of Barbara Hall Park with The 519 in the background.]

Summer heat and binding can be a tough combination, but safer binding is possible. Our “Safer Summer Binding 101” series shares practical tips to help you stay safer, cooler, and more comfortable during warmer weather.
- Make sure your binder is the right size and fit for your body.
- Choose breathable fabrics, and avoid exercising in a binder unless it’s designed for activity.
- Stay cool and hydrated with water, electrolytes, light clothing, and breaks from heat and sun exposure.
- Plan regular breaks from binding, especially on long days, and never sleep in your binder.
- Listen to your body, pain, tingling, numbness, dizziness, rash, or shortness of breath can all be signs you need to cool down, adjust, or remove your binder.
- And most importantly, look out for each other: check in on friends, share these tips, and get help if someone seems overheated or in distress.
Binders can be affirming and important, but wearing them improperly or for too long can cause serious health issues including breathing problems, rib injuries, chronic pain, sores, or heat stroke.

Learn more: HealthyBinding.com | BindSafe.ca

[Image description: A six-image educational series titled “Safer Summer Binding 101” uses colourful illustrated posters to share safe binding tips, including choosing a properly fitting and breathable binder, avoiding exercise in binders not designed for activity, staying cool and hydrated with water, electrolytes, light clothing, and breaks from heat, taking regular binder breaks and never sleeping in a binder, paying attention to warning signs such as pain, tingling, dizziness, rash, or shortness of breath, and looking out for others who may be overheated or in distress; the graphics feature illustrated people, a cat holding a drink, flowers, rainbow accents, and reminders to visit HealthyBinding.com and BindSafe.ca for more information, along with a note that improper or prolonged binder use can cause serious health issues including breathing problems, rib fractures, chronic pain, sores, or heat stroke.]

Pride with panache and purpose? Now that's a win-win!

Stay at the iconic Fairmont Royal York - Toronto's landmark hotel and Green Space Festival's official 5-star hotel - and enjoy 10% off luxury accommodations, while $10 from every stay supports The 519.

Celebrate. Indulge. Give back. Book your stay today at https://www.thefairmontroyalyork.com/offers/celebrate-pride/

[Image description: Front facade of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel with the Pride flag flying besides Canada and US flags. Text above reads: "Fairmont Royal York. Official 5-star hotel of Green Space Festival." Floral and warm red designs surround the photo and text.]

The AIDS Memorial Storytelling Project has collected stories from the loved ones of people on the AIDS Memorial in Barbara Hall Park. These stories can be found at TOAIDSMemorial.com.

Community member Stacy Elliot told us about Bobby Gallant:
“my cousin “uncle bobby” died when i was only a few years old, so i unfortunately don’t have any memories of him. however, my mother told me many stories about him. how he was so handsome and had moved to california to be a model. how they would dance in the kitchen together. how he would always be singing. how kind he was to everyone. how he was always joking and smiling. i think about him often, and look at his pictures.
uncle bobby, i wish i was able to know you and love you.”

Toronto’s AIDS Candlelight Vigil will take place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 9 p.m. at Barbara Hall Park [519 Church St.]. This year's theme is “42 Years of Building Community: Legacy, Love, and Resistance."

Our Postcards To The Future project - part of our 50th anniversary initiatives - is well under way! We commissioned three artists to create postcard art that community could feel inspired by while writing their messages to The 519. One of them is Toronto-based Colombian artist La Pupila ().

La Pupila's work explores the feminine energy, often with an aura of melancholy. Through symbols, distorted forms and evocative faces, she hopes to illustrate her fears and desire for a tender world.

Learn more about how you take part in Postcards to the Future at The519.org/50

[Image descriptions: Postcards from the project featuring art by La Pupila. One of them has three femme-presenting people walking arm in arm. Each of them have numbers on their tops so that when they stand together, it reads as '5-1-9-. The other one is a black and white piece of art of two drag queens applying makeup for each other.]

Pride is a celebration, as well as an opportunity to support 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Support The 519's essential services and year-round programming today so that we never stop serving! You can:

- Make a one-time or monthly donation online, organize a fundraiser, or encourage your workplace to support our services! Visit the519.org/donate to learn more.

- Make an in-person donation at The 519 [519 Church St.]

- Send a cheque by mail. Please address your contribution to:
Coordinator, Philanthropy & Donor Relations,
The 519,
519 Church St.,
Toronto, ON M4Y 2C9.
Cheques should be made payable to “The 519.”

We are deeply grateful to everyone who supports The 519 as part of their Pride celebrations and commitments. Join our Army of Lovers building 2SLGBTQ+ futures every day!

[Image descriptions: Photos of community members, celebrations, Pride, and programs at The 519. Text reads: "So many ways to support 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Donate in person, donate online, become a monthly donor, join our 2026 Pride celebrations, host a fundraising event, donate through your work or school."]

Pride with panache and purpose? Now that's a win-win!

Stay at the iconic Fairmont Royal York - Toronto's landmark hotel and Green Space Festival's official 5-star hotel - and enjoy 10% off luxury accommodations, while $10 from every stay supports The 519.

Celebrate. Indulge. Give back. Book your stay today at https://www.thefairmontroyalyork.com/offers/celebrate-pride/

[Image description: Night aerial view of the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto surrounded by illuminated buildings. Text above reads: "Fairmont Royal York. Official 5-star hotel of Green Space Festival." Floral and warm red designs surround the photo and text.]