FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 1, 2010

Nominations now open for Pride 2010 Awards

Toronto, ON - Each year, Pride Toronto hosts a Gala & Awards ceremony to honour individuals and groups who, through excellence in their work, have created a positive impact on the lives or perception of the LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. The 6th Annual Pride Toronto Gala & Awards will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Toronto's prestigious Carlu venue.

"This year's Awards will once again recognize those whose contributions to the service of their community has been significant," says Pride Toronto Executive Director, Tracey Sandilands. "We are looking forward to receiving a number of nominations for people or groups who are truly deserving of recognition, and nominations from across Canada are welcome."

Awards will be presented in the categories of Arts and Culture, Human Rights, Sports, Youth Leadership, and Lifetime Achievement. The Theme Award will be presented to the Grand Marshal selected for the year.

"In all cases, the completeness of the nomination submitted is what is important," says Sandilands. Nominations that are incomplete or provide insufficient information may be eliminated. The Pride Toronto Board reviews the nominations and selects the winners, who are then notified and receive tickets for themselves and their partners.

"Over the years Pride Toronto has been privileged to present awards to a number of very worthy recipients," says Sandilands, "and our 30th anniversary this year will be no exception."
Nomination forms can be downloaded at http://www.pridetoronto.com/docs, and the deadline for receiving nominations is midnight on Friday, March 12, 2010.

Tickets to attend the gala or to purchase a table are available on the Pride Toronto website under Events/Gala and Awards.

*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited, and Allies.

About Pride Toronto:
Pride Toronto is the not-for-profit organization that hosts Pride Week, an annual festival held during the last week of June in downtown Toronto. Pride Toronto exists to celebrate the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto's LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities and is one of the leading cultural events of its kind in the world with a total economic benefit in 2009 of $136m. Toronto's Pride Week has been named the Best Festival in Canada by the Canadian Special Events Industry, is recognized as one of only Eight Signature Events in the city of Toronto, and is ranked as one of the TOP 50 festivals in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario. http://www.pridetoronto.com

Media Contact:
Michael Ain, Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: 416.927.7433, Ext. 226
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www.pridetoronto.com