http://pride.clients.apolitic.com/index.php en tracey@pridetoronto.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-10T15:27:41+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-toronto-focuses-on-celebrating-30-years-in-parade/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-toronto-focuses-on-celebrating-30-years-in-parade/#When:16:27:41Z For immediate release. 10 March 2010 Pride Toronto focuses on celebrating 30 years in Parade New terms of participation include staying on theme Toronto, ON This week Pride Toronto unveiled revised terms and conditions for groups applying to participate in the 2010 Parade and Dyke March. As part of Pride's efforts to respond to community feedback, participating groups will be asked to ensure that messages support the theme of the 2010 festival, celebrating "30 Years of Pride" in Toronto. Pride has worked diligently to manage significant increases in attendance and activities over recent years, while ensuring the festival maintains a strong connection with the local community. "In reaching out to the community, we have received exciting feedback on many topics over the past year," said Jim Cullen, Co-Chair of Pride Toronto's Board of Directors. "Our community sees Pride as a celebration of who we are and how far we have come. So we're asking all parade participants to focus on that." In past years, Parade participants were asked to agree to non-discrimination policies and act in a manner supportive of the celebration of Pride. Similar to policies already in place for other major Pride festivals, Pride Toronto will now require all Pride Parade and Dyke March participants ensure their messages support the theme of the year's festival. Participating groups must agree to avoid any messages that promote violence or hatred and to have their messages and signage approved by the Ethics Committee of Pride Toronto in advance of the event. Groups who fail to cooperate with the new practices will be denied permission to take part or removed from the line-up if necessary. "We are promoting freedom of expression and diversity in a way that is positive and supportive of our community. We hope to include everybody who wants to participate," said Cullen. "We encourage all Parade groups to respect the spirit of celebration and inclusion that the Pride Parade represents." Pride Toronto begins accepting applications to participate in the 2010 Pride Parade and Dyke March on March 15th. Interested groups are encouraged to visit pridetoronto.com for information and application forms. About Pride Toronto: Pride Toronto is the not-for-profit organization that hosts Pride Week, an annual festival held during the first weekend of July 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 $136 million.Toronto's Pride Week has previously been named Best Festival in Canada by the Canadian Special Events Industry and is recognized as one of only eight Signature Events in the City of Toronto. It is ranked one of the TOP 50 festivals in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) as well as one of the 18 Marquee Festivals of Distinction in Canada. With attendance of over 1,2 million, it is the third largest Pride celebration in the world and the largest in North America. http://www.pridetoronto.com*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning,2-Spirited and Allies Media Contact: Michael Ain, Marketing and Communications ManagerTel: 416.927.7433, Ext. 226michael@pridetoronto.comwww.pridetoronto.com *Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning,2-Spirited and Allies     2010-03-10T16:27:41+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/cyndi-lauper-headlines-pride-torontos-30th-anniversary-festival/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/cyndi-lauper-headlines-pride-torontos-30th-anniversary-festival/#When:16:02:28Z Cyndi Lauper, one of the world's most recognized Queer icons, comes to Toronto on Saturday, July 3 2010 for a FREE concert in Queen's Park. An unwavering advocate for LGBTTIQQ2SA* rights, Cyndi Lauper established herself as a household name with the 1983 single "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", kicking off a long career which includes more than 25 million in record sales and nominations for 13 Grammy awards, 2 Emmy awards, 2 American Music Awards, 7 American Video Awards and 18 MTV awards. Her most recent album "Bring Ya To The Brink" affirmed her international pop diva status, even more so amongst her LGBT fans, who were featured prominently in the music video for her #1 single, "Into The Nightlife". "It's an honor to always have the genuine affection of the gay community," Cyndi says. "They have never turned their back on me and I will never turn my back on them. We've had a long and enduring love affair." In 2007, Lauper created the True Colors Tour, bringing together artists like Erasure, The B-52s, the Indigo Girls, Deborah Harry and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts to raise public awareness about issues facing the LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. A year later, she founded the True Colors Fund to inspire and engage everyone-particularly those in the straight community-to become involved in the advancement of equality. Most recently, Lauper joined Lady Gaga as a spokesperson for the 2010 MAC Viva Glam Campaign, which was established in 1994 to support people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. The Grammy award-winning singer and Emmy award-winning actress is currently working on her newest studio album scheduled for release in June. Lauper is also featured on the new "Celebrity Apprentice" edition on NBC starting March 14 and later this year launches her own reality show. Lauper's performance during Pride Week will be part of a full program of entertainment and activities in Queen's Park; the newest addition to the ever-expanding Pride Week site which includes eight stages over more than 22 city blocks and an attendance of more than one million. Plans for the new Queen's Park site include a beverage garden and more Pride Week Streetfair exhibitors. "We are happy that Cyndi and her incredible team worked with us to make this happen" said Mary Zondanos, Arts & Entertainment Manager for Pride Toronto. "Her work both as a performer and an activist is an inspiration to us all. There will be tears, and I'm sure some will be mine." 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 $136 million. Toronto's Pride Week has been named Best Festival in Canada by the Canadian Special Events Industry, is recognized as one of only Eight Signature Events in the city of Toronto, is ranked as one of the TOP 50 festivals in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) and is the third largest Queer celebration in the world. http://www.pridetoronto.com Media Contact: Michael Ain, Marketing and Communications ManagerTel: 416.927.7433, Ext. 226michael@pridetoronto.comwww.pridetoronto.com*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited and Allies   2010-03-04T16:02:28+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/nominations-now-open-for-pride-2010-awards/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/nominations-now-open-for-pride-2010-awards/#When:17:53:00Z 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 ManagerTel: 416.927.7433, Ext. 226michael@pridetoronto.comwww.pridetoronto.com   2010-03-01T17:53:00+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-toronto-announces-launch-of-2010-opportunity-guide/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-toronto-announces-launch-of-2010-opportunity-guide/#When:19:02:15Z For Immediate Release 17 February 2010 Pride Toronto announces launch of 2010 Opportunity Guide The Pride Week 2010 Opportunity Guide launched last week is a one-stop-shop information source for getting involved with this year's Toronto Pride Festival, including deadlines, contact names, and grant applications.The 2010 Opportuniy Guide provides information on how the public can participate in Pride Week 2010 in any number of ways. Community Fair - the Community Fair provides activists and advocacy groups a public forum to explain their role in our community and the oppor¬tunity to advocate for their causes. Late fee for entries after April 17, 2010. Applications received after April 30, 2010 will not be guaranteed a space in the festival. They will be waitlisted and reviewed based on available space. Includes Community Café - a space for community groups to present their own event/performance on a Pride Stage. Affiliate Events -The Pride Week Affiliate Events Program is a way for community-based or commercial events to be endorsed and marketed as an Affiliate Event of Pride Week. They can be literary events, visual arts events, performing arts events, family, youth, or cultural events, all-ages events, adult only events, musical, comedy, or similar types of event. Marketplace - One of Pride Week's favourite sites, the Marketplace, allows vendors small and large the opportunity to exhibit their wares to our community. Fill in the online application at http://www.pridetoronto.com, no later than April 16, 2010 for the ear¬ly-bird discount and to be listed in the Official Pride Guide.Access & Diversity Grants - Pride Toronto and the Community One Foundation offer annual Grants/Funding to improve access to participation in Pride Week activities, particularity for diverse and marginalized communities. Application Deadline: Friday, April 9, 20101st Annual Women's Golf Tournament - For more information or sponsorship opportunities contact golf@torontopride.comOfficial Pride Guide & Website Advertising - Includes Pride Guide advertising rates & submission guidelines - now available! "Pride Week is one of Toronto's eight Signature events," says Michael Ain, the new Marketing and Communications Manager at Pride. "Toronto celebrates one of the largest LGBTTIQQ2SA festivals in North America, and provides several ways for businesses and community groups to get themselves involved throughout the festval. The Pride Week 2010 Opportunity Guide is our all-inclusive information source for individuals, groups or organizations who want to maximize their Pride Week experience." The Opportunity Guide can be downloaded at http://www.pridetoronto.com/docs For further information contact Michael AinMarketing and Communications ManagerTel 416.927.7433 Ext 226michael@pridetoronto.com www.pridetoronto.com     2010-02-22T19:02:15+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-toronto-announces-new-grand-marshal-process/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-toronto-announces-new-grand-marshal-process/#When:21:19:45Z For Immediate Release 12 February 2010 Pride Toronto announces new Grand Marshal processPride Toronto last night announced a new strategy for selecting the Grand Marshal and other Honoured positions for Pride Week 2010. The new selection process, one of several changes marking the 30th anniversary of Toronto's Pride festival, was delivered to a receptive audience of engaged community members at Pride Toronto's first general meeting of the year. The main change is that final selection will be made by a jury of peers, instead of a public voting process. The festival, which attracts visitors from around the globe and brings $136 million in economic benefits to the GTA, has seen energetic growth each year while retaining local communities as the core of the cultural celebration. The most publicized and best attended event is the Pride Parade, led by the Grand Marshal and the Honoured Group. The Honoured Dyke leads the Saturday afternoon Dyke March, also followed by an Honoured Group. "The honoured positions' selection process is one of community involvement and engagement, and we are committed to maintaining that tradition and connection," said Tracey Sandilands, Executive Director of Pride Toronto. "As part of Pride's 30th anniversary, we are revisiting a number of our processes to see how we can better advance our mission and vision, and the revision of this process was born out of feedback received from our community." Nominees should have contributed significantly to the queer community of Toronto. Nominations must provide details and specific instances of nominees' contributions, as well as supporting documentation. "The public nomination process will remain," says Sandilands. "The nominations will be screened by the Pride Toronto Board and a shortlist will then be sent to a jury of former Pride Award Winners who will make decisions in each category." The annual Pride Gala and Awards ceremony honours leadership and service to the community in the fields of Human Rights, Youth Leadership, Arts and Culture, Spirituality, Sports, Science Medicine and Technology, Lifetime Achievement and the interpretation of the annual Pride theme. Since their inception six years ago, awards have been presented to luminaries such as Pastor Brent Hawkes of the Metropolitan Community Church, Olympic medallist Mark Tewkesbury, entertainer Nina Arsenault, writer Ilene Chaiken, well-known local activist Douglas Elliott and philanthropist Salah Bachir. "The revised process will provide added credibility through the final selection by a group of persons that have themselves made important contributions to our community. All former Awards winners are being approached to participate in the jury for the 2010 selection process," says Sandilands. Nominations are now open for the Grand Marshal, Honoured Dyke and honoured groups for both events. Nomination forms may be downloaded at http://www.pridetoronto.com/docs. For more information, contact Tracey SandilandsExecutive DirectorPride Torontoedirector@pridetoronto.com 416.524.4554 2010-02-12T21:19:45+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-week-access-and-diversity-grants-applications-now-open/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-week-access-and-diversity-grants-applications-now-open/#When:20:23:08Z As part of Pride Toronto's 30th anniversary, the organization and its partner the Community One Foundation are launching the 4th annual Pride Access and Diversity Grants Program. This is a continued funding partnership designed to support smaller grassroots organizations and increase accessibility, particularly for diverse and marginalized communities, to participate in Pride Festival. Both Pride Toronto and the Community One Foundation are excited to present a partnership which leverages the resources of both organizations for a common goal: to provide grants for smaller groups who do not have the funds or resources to participate in Pride events. "This continued partnership with the Community One Foundation for our 4th annual Pride Access and Diversity Grants Program offers an opportunity for smaller groups to gain visibility and promote awareness for their LGBTTIQQ2SA* diverse and marginalized communities by participating in the Pride Parade, Dyke March, Trans March, and Community Fair, as well as Grassroots Project for organizations who organize events during Pride Week Festival", said Frank Folino, Pride's representative on the Grants program.. "The Community One Foundation is thrilled to be able to continue our partnership with Pride Toronto on this important initiative. Pride Week is about the participation of small community groups, and it's critical that we are able to assist in providing funding in order to allow greater participation and visibility", said Christopher Killam of the Community One Foundation. Pride Toronto and the Community One Foundation are hosting an Information Session on Thursday March 9, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The 519 Church Street Community Centre. The application deadline will be on Friday April 9, 2010 and grants application guidelines and forms are available on both organizations websites: http://www.pridetoronto.com and http://www.communityone.ca. For more information:Tracey SandilandsExecutive DirectorPride Torontoedirector@pridetoronto.com416.524.4554 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. 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 About the Community One Foundation: The Community One Foundation is the only foundation of its kind in Canada- to build and support individuals and groups that enhance the development of the LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. Since 1980, the Community One Foundation has raised and granted out over $2 million through an annual Rainbow Grants program and special initiatives. Through the generosity of individuals and businesses, the Community One Foundation is able to provide much-needed funding for projects and programs in the areas of education, health, human rights, arts and culture. More information can be found at http://www.communityone.ca   2010-02-10T20:23:08+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-gala-tickets-now-on-sale/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-gala-tickets-now-on-sale/#When:17:26:44Z Pride Toronto's 6th Annual Gala & Awards ceremony is four months away, so it's time to get fit, get fabulous and open your closet door - and decide what to wear! Tickets and tables for this showcase event are now on sale, but they won't last for long. Don't miss your opportunity to attend Pride Week's premiere event to honour those individuals and groups who, through excellence in their work, their sacrifices and their dedication, have created a positive impact in the lives of LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. In addition to the epic awards ceremony, the evening will feature a menu to die for, and include an impressive roster of Canadian entertainers and special appearances.The Gala, which will be held at the Carlu on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 6 p.m., promises to be an evening of exquisite dining and entertainment to remember. For corporate sponsors, this is an excellent opportunity to meet and mingle with other top businesses, community leaders and philanthropic contributors, many of whom attend Pride every year. The Carlu is located at 444 Yonge St., on the 7th floor of College Park. Designed by Jacques Carlu, the architect of other notable projects including Paris' Palais de Chaillot at Trocadero and New York's Rockefeller Center, the Carlu has been described as one of the finest surviving examples of the Art Moderne style in the world. It's a fitting backdrop to spotlight the stars of Toronto's LGBTTIQQ2SA communities and to host a dazzlingly diverse spectrum of guests. Gala tickets & tables are on sale now! You can purchase individual tickets, or take advantage of the opportunity to sponsor a table, and demonstrate your support for the queer community. Send a strong message that your business welcomes this eclectic, well-educated, upper-income talent pool. Additional benefits to becoming a sponsor include unparalleled national and local multi-media coverage including print, radio and television. In the past, more than 40 media outlets attended the Gala. The ticket options are as follows: Option 1:• Sponsored tables may be purchased at $10,000/table of 10. Benefits include:• The option of presenting a Pride Toronto Award at the Gala• Attendance at the pre-Gala VIP Reception • Priority table placement in Platinum zone next to the head table (visit the website to view the floor plan)• ¼ page advertisement in the Pride Guide• Your company logo at the table• Listing in:o The Gala & Awards Program booklet;o The Gala & Awards web page; ando Our May 2010 Press Release• Pre-loaded value in website advertising• Complimentary street fair booth at the festival• Opportunity to propose a Parade judge• 2 Passes to the VIP spaces at the festival• Gift bags for each guest Option 2:• Full tables may be purchased at $5,000/table of 10. Benefits include:• Attendance at the pre-Gala VIP Reception • Priority table placement in Gold zone next to the head table (visit the website to view the floor plan)• Your company logo at the table• Listing in:o The Gala & Awards Program booklet;o The Gala & Awards web page; ando Our May 2010 Press Release• Pre-loaded value in website advertising• Complimentary street fair booth at the festival• 2 Passes to the VIP spaces at the festival Option 3:• Full tables may be purchased at $3,500/table of 10. Option 4• Individual tickets are $350 each. Previous Gala award winners include El-Farouk Khaki, a Toronto queer African Muslim lawyer and human rights activist, the acclaimed Rev. Brent Hawkes, the sensational Nina Arsenault, and our proud Olympian, Mark Tewksbury. Details of this year's award nominations and Gala event program will be released over the next few weeks, so stay tuned. To view seating arrangements or to purchase tickets, visit Gala & Awards on the website or email gala@pridetoronto.com. For more information, contact Tracey SandilandsExecutive DirectorPride Torontoedirector@pridetoronto.com416.524.4554 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. 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     2010-02-10T17:26:44+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-toronto-and-the-community-one-foundation-announces-4th-annual-pride-a/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-toronto-and-the-community-one-foundation-announces-4th-annual-pride-a/#When:21:26:24Z As part of Pride Toronto's 30th anniversary, the organization and its partner the Community One Foundation are launching the 4th annual Pride Access and Diversity Grants Program. This is a continued funding partnership designed to support smaller grassroots organizations and increase accessibility, particularly for diverse and marginalized communities, to participate in Pride Festival. Both Pride Toronto and the Community One Foundation are excited to present a partnership which leverages the resources of both organizations for a common goal: to provide grants for smaller groups who do not have the funds or resources to participate in Pride events. "This continued partnership with the Community One Foundation for our 4th annual Pride Access and Diversity Grants Program offers an opportunity for smaller groups to gain visibility and promote awareness for their LGBTTIQQ2SA* diverse and marginalized communities by participating in the Pride Parade, Dyke March, Trans March, and Community Fair, as well as Grassroots Project for organizations who organize events during Pride Week Festival", said Frank Folino, Pride's representative on the Grants program.. "The Community One Foundation is thrilled to be able to continue our partnership with Pride Toronto on this important initiative. Pride Week is about the participation of small community groups, and it's critical that we are able to assist in providing funding in order to allow greater participation and visibility", said Christopher Killam of the Community One Foundation. Pride Toronto and the Community One Foundation are hosting an Information Session on Tuesday March 9, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The 519 Church Street Community Centre. The application deadline will be on Friday April 9, 2010 and grants application guidelines and forms are available on both organizations websites: http://www.pridetoronto.com and http://www.communityone.ca. For more information:Tracey SandilandsExecutive DirectorPride Torontoedirector@pridetoronto.com416.524.4554 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. 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 About the Community One Foundation: The Community One Foundation is the only foundation of its kind in Canada- to build and support individuals and groups that enhance the development of the LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. Since 1980, the Community One Foundation has raised and granted out over $2 million through an annual Rainbow Grants program and special initiatives. Through the generosity of individuals and businesses, the Community One Foundation is able to provide much-needed funding for projects and programs in the areas of education, health, human rights, arts and culture. More information can be found at http://www.communityone.ca   2010-02-05T21:26:24+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/high-profile-international-grand-marshals-selected-for-torontos-2010-pride/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/high-profile-international-grand-marshals-selected-for-torontos-2010-pride/#When:20:48:21Z Pride Toronto today announced the selection of two high profile queer activists as International Grand Marshals (IGMs) for its 30th anniversary. The appointment of the IGM annually is part of the organization's efforts to highlight the incidence of queer human rights abuses that still occur on a global scale. Gloria Careaga-Perez, a feminist, social psychologist and activist who was elected Co-Secretary General of the International Gay and Lesbian Association (ILGA) for Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean in November 2008 at the 30th ILGA Conference in Vienna; and Renato Sabbadini, ILGA Co-Secretary for Italy and Europe. ILGA is a network of more than 600 groups from 111 countries fighting for equal human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersexual and transgendered people. Careaga-Perez, who is also a co-coordinator of the long-standing lesbian group El Closet de Sor Juana in Mexico, has been a psychology professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico since 1979. A co-founder of the university's gender studies program, Careaga-Perez introduced a sexual diversity studies area in 1998. She has coordinated six anthologies and authored numerous articles, and has served as an advisor to national and international agencies. Sabbadini, who is Bergamo, Italy's first openly gay city councillor, has been a part of the LBGT movement since 1992. He has worked as treasurer and foreign affairs officer of Arcigay, Italy's foremost gay rights organization, and as spokesperson for the WorldPride Rome 2000 Coordination Committee. A linguist, he speaks Italian, English, German, Spanish, French and Russian, and lives in Brussels. Tracey Sandilands, Executive Director of Pride Toronto, says this is the fifth year that Pride Toronto will support the efforts of LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities around the world with its ‘Global Human Rights for Queers: What is OUT About' campaign. The purpose of the ongoing campaign is to help raise awareness about queer rights abuses, which range from anti-sodomy laws to the death penalty. "We chose the ILGA secretaries because they represent the global community," says Sandilands. "We want to highlight this year how many countries in the world still perpetrate human rights abuses against queer people." In 2009, Pride Toronto focused on Uganda and the African region. Last year's IGM was Victor Juliet Mukasa, a trans man from Uganda, where an anti-homosexuality bill, if passed, would impose the death sentence on anyone repeatedly convicted of having gay sex. In December 2008, Careaga-Perez and Sabbadini, on behalf of the ILGA, protested UN Assembly President Ali Abdussalam Treki's failure to consider the protection of LBGT people a human rights issue. They appealed to representatives of the 66 United Nations member states that had signed a statement supporting the decriminalization of homosexuality to demand an explanation for Treki's position on the issue. The 2010 IGMs will, in addition to leading the parade, present the human rights award at the 6th annual Pride Gala and Awards ceremony, serve as guest speakers at the gala and other events, and officiate at human rights events during the festival. Stay tuned for the announcement of the process for electing the 2010 Grand Marshal, Honoured Dyke and Honoured Groups. For more information:Tracey SandilandsExecutive DirectorPride Torontoedirector@pridetoronto.com416.524.4554 *(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Two-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. 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.   2010-01-25T20:48:21+00:00 http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-reviews-strategies-for-30th-anniversary/ http://www.pridetoronto.com/site/pride-reviews-strategies-for-30th-anniversary/#When:22:13:22Z For Immediate Release January 19, 2009 Pride reviews strategies for 30th Anniversary Pride Toronto seeks public input on community engagement, political involvement and corporate participation. As Pride Toronto prepares for its 30th festival in June 2010 and World Pride in 2014, organizers are reflecting on past years and asking the community to comment on building strategies for the future of the annual event. Pride Toronto is collecting public views on community involvement and engagement, educational and human rights activities, corporate funding and festival participation, including the involvement of activist political organizations in the festival through a series of outreach activities and a public comment section on their website. Pride Toronto faced significant pressure to prevent activist political groups not focused on LGBT issues, such as Queers Against Israeli Apartheid, from participating in the 2009 parade. The organization faced equal pressure to protect freedom of expression and allow the participation of as many groups as possible, leading Pride Toronto to seek external advice. "We turned to our legal counsel and they advised, as a not-for-profit organization, that we were unable to take a position," said Tracey Sandilands, Executive Director of Pride Toronto. Pride Toronto issued a statement declaring neutrality and an intention to allow participation of any group which properly followed Pride's application procedures. "We received complaints about allowing ‘hate speech' in the parade," said Sandilands, "but we decided to leave it to the Toronto Police Service to interpret the law. Every year, we rely on the Toronto Police to help us deliver a successful and safe festival, and we are happy to say that their participation and helpfulness has increased over the years." With a significant increase in attendance and activities over recent years, Pride has worked diligently to maintain the festival's connection with the local community, while reaching out to broader audiences. Sandilands says Pride Toronto will use public comment as part of their ongoing process of developing and revising strategies to be published in the coming months. Visit http://www.pridetoronto.com/forums to offer your comments via our online discussion option. For more information: Tracey SandilandsExecutive DirectorPride Torontoedirector@pridetoronto.com416.524.4554   2010-01-19T22:13:22+00:00