Day of Pink 2025

On every second Wednesday of April, we proudly wear pink attire to honour the International Day of Pink, commemorating an initiative by Canadian students to courageously challenge homophobic and transphobic bullying. 

All 2SLGBTQ+ community members and allies are invited to join us to honour Day of Pink. Following presentations from our dynamic speakers, we invite all participants to join our group photo. You're encouraged to come wearing pink for the optional group photo.

This year’s theme is “Honour Re-Emergence.” We as community members and allies are called to honour the brave actions of 2SLGBTQIA+ activists who have fought and continue to fight for safer, more inclusive communities.

The theme for this year marks significant milestones in 2SLGBTQIA+ history, honouring the anniversaries of key events that have shaped our community and the fight for equality, including:

• The LGBT Purge - 35 years later
  In 1990, Michelle Douglas launched a landmark legal challenge against the Canadian military, resulting in the removal of its discriminatory policy in 1992. In 2016, activists Martine Roy, Todd Ross and Alida Satalic, led the 2016 LGBT Purge class-action lawsuit that brought significant justice for hundreds of Purge survivors.
  
  
• Two-Spirit communities
  2025 marks 35 years since the term "Two-Spirit" was adopted by Indigenous leaders and 5 years since the release of the Final Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Peoples and its 231 Calls for Justice.
  
  
• Cheri DiNovo: The champion who led a ban on conversion therapy
  Ten years ago, former Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo led a ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth. Ontario became the first province in Canada to end the practice, a significant step in protecting vulnerable children and affirming their identities.

These moments are just some highlights of resilience and re-emergence of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

We will hear remarks from Cris Nippard, Journalism Student, Course Union VP of Equity, Queer Space Lead for the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Student’s Union and well-known activist in Toronto's Black and Queer communities since high school. For their community work, Cris is the winner of the Bill 7 Scholarship, Viola Desmond Award, Merit Award, OMNI TV Scholarship and Toronto One City Scholarship. 

Our keynote speaker is Chelazon LeRoux. As seen on Canada’s Drag Race Season 3, Chelazon Leroux is a two-Spirit Dene First Nations Multidisciplinary Artist. Chelazon’s artistic pursuits include: Drag, stand-up comedy, and social media content creation. Chelazon uses her Indigenous identity—as a status member of Buffalo River Dene Nation (Treaty 10) and family ties to Fond Du Lac First Nation (Treaty 8)—as the foundation for her creative works. Her goal is to utilize her responsibilities as a Two-Spirit multimedia artist to bring Two-Spirit’s historical role into the modern world, as well as to educate and entertain audiences worldwide on the experiences, stories and beauty of Indigenous identity.

Call to Action

As a call to action for Day of Pink 2025, the Positive Space 2SLGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Community Network at TMU is encouraging community members to give what they can (or even spread the message) to help support young people in our community. TMU has two flagship scholarships that specifically support members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community as they make their transition from high school to university. The issues that Day of Pink highlights show us that 2SLGBTQ+ students continue to face challenges that can disrupt their education.

Queer and trans youth continue to face violence, bullying and discrimination in schools and in their families (often resulting in a lack of support). Access to higher education is one of the most transformative ways a young person can take control of their future and we urge all allies to consider supporting one of the worthy causes below to ensure the success of young members of our community.

PRIDE Scholarship Fund

Founded through the vision and generous philanthropy of TMU’s Board of Governors member, Samir Sinha, the PRIDE Scholarship Fund supports exceptional first generation undergraduate students at the university who identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (2SLGBTQI+). Being the first in your family to attend a Canadian university is a big step. It often means overcoming a variety of challenges, ranging from a lack of academic guidance to limited financial resources. First generation students who also identify as 2SLGBTQI+ can face additional obstacles along their post-secondary journey. 

The Sumaya Dalmar Award

Sumaya Dasia Dalmar was a passionate speaker, advocate and community leader who championed the rights of trans women of colour. Widely regarded as an inspiration and role model, Sumaya was an active member of Black Queer Youth (BQY) —a support group for LGBTQ Black youth in Toronto—and starred in a ground-breaking documentary film that explored the intersection of gender, trans-identity and traditional Somali culture. The Sumaya Dalmar Award was created by Sumaya’s friends and community members in recognition of her life’s work. 

Learn more about how you can donate to Day of Pink.

This event is wheelchair accessible

The Positive Space Faculty and Staff Network is committed to the accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. If you require any additional accessibility accommodations to ensure your full participation, please email positivespace@torontomu.ca. 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please email positivespace@torontomu.ca.