Celebrating Pride 2024 in Athletics & Recreation
Building an Inclusive Community
We know that sport spaces and communities have a long history of being unwelcoming to and unsafe for 2SLGBTQ members of our community (see 'Unsafe Spaces' in Egale's Every Class in Every School report (external link) ). In an effort to build a more welcoming community, our staff are trained in 2SLGBTQ inclusive principles, and gender-inclusive change spaces and programs are available.
While we are committed to making all programs and spaces safe and inclusive year-round, we know making time and space in combination with active community outreach can help break down barriers.
A chance to try a new sport, recreation and wellness community before you commit to a membership is an opportunity welcomed by many. Given past experiences of violence and harassment in spaces like ours, we know this can be especially true for 2SLGBTQ+ folks.
As we have done for many years, both in November for Trans Awareness Month at TMU and in June in honour of Pride Month, we're excited to invite you - and everyone, of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions - to take advantage of a free trial membership again this June 2024.
- Guests are asked to visit one of our service desks in the RAC or MAC to complete a waiver before entering.
- Gender-inclusive changerooms are available thanks to advocacy work by the TMSU Trans Collective.
- If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at recreation@torontomu.ca to start your free trial membership.
Toronto Met undergraduate and graduate students: Your membership is included in your tuition fees - just tap your OneCard to enter!
- What: Group fitness classes in celebration of Pride Month
- When:
- Pride Dance Party with Stiva: Monday, June 10 @ 12:00-12:45pm, RAC 2 Gym
- Pride Ride Spin with Jason: Thursday, June 27 @ 5:15-6:00pm, RAC Studio 2
- Where: Recreation & Athletics Centre (RAC)
- Open to: Everyone - no membership or registration required!
Join @divasteve (external link) and Jason at the RAC for our Pride Dance Party and Pride Ride Spin classes in celebration of PRIDE and MOVEMENT. Classes are designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities to get you moving in a fun-filled and supportive environment!
The class is open to the public with no registration required. All members of our community who are committed to creating a positive space for 2SLGBTQ+ folks are welcome to join. Bring your non-marking shoes and get ready to MOVE!
Of course, all of our instructors are trained, thoughtful, kind professionals who work hard to ensure each and every class is safe and welcoming. See the entire range of classes - including others led by Stiva and Jason - and view class descriptions on our Group Fitness Schedule.
Free Swim Team Practice with Toronto Purple Fins: Fridays in June
Throughout Pride month, TMU Athletics & Recreation is partnering with the Toronto Purple Fins (external link) to run free swim team practices on Friday evenings at the TMU pool for all trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming folks.
Participants must be 16+ years of age and be able to swim two lengths of the pool without assistance (50 yards). Email info@torontopurplefins.com for practice times or more information.
The Toronto Purple Fins (external link) are a gender-free swim club led by certified swim coaches who identify as trans, genderqueer and gender fluid.
Weekly Trans + Gender-Diverse Swims, Year-Round
Our Trans + Gender-Diverse swim is a part of the regularly weekly schedule. Anyone committed to creating a positive space for trans and gender-diverse folks is welcome.
Weekly swims currently take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check the pool schedule for details!
Special thanks to Positive Space, the TMSU Trans Collective (external link) and the Non-Binary Colour Collective (external link) for their advocacy and partnership in bringing this important swim program to life in 2019.
In keeping with TMU's broader efforts to create safe and accessible washroom spaces for trans and gender-diverse members of our community, we respect everyone's right to choose the change space and washroom that is appropriate for them. In addition to our traditional women's and men's spaces, the following options are available to all members of our community.
Improved Privacy & Comfort - Winter 2024: While still working towards a full renovation of our change spaces, we are pleased to share that privacy and comfort improvements have been made to the existing gendered change spaces at RAC, including upgrades to two private change/shower stalls and new privacy partitions in the men's change space. We know the changes are welcomed by all students and members, and can be especially impactful for trans, non-binary and gender nonconforming folks.
Special thanks to the TMSU's Trans Collective (external link) for their advocacy in making our spaces and programs more inclusive.
Beyond Pride Month
June is an important month to recognize, support and celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ communities, but we're here for and committed to making you - and everyone - feel welcome and safe all year long.
Our commitment to building an equitable and inclusive community is sincere and strong, but we know our efforts remain a work-in-progress. If you have questions or concerns about any of our programs or facilities, or extending any of the special offers above beyond the month of June, please contact our Director, Recreation, Equity & Active Wellbeing, Andrew Pettit, at andrew.pettit@torontomu.ca or 416-979-5000 x557132.