CMHA HKPR recognizes Pride Month

This June, we proudly celebrate Pride Month to not only appreciate the great strides made towards equality and inclusion, but also to recognize the struggles, challenges and persecution faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This year marks the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, six days of riots against the harassment of the LGBTQ+ community. While the Uprising was not the birth of the gay rights movement, it is reflected on as a catalyst for more modern activism and an integral moment in history.

In our own country, it has been 39 years since the Toronto Bathhouse Raids, often deemed to be Canada’s equivalent to the Stonewall Uprising. These raids were met with community uproar and activism in support of the LGBTQ+ community, ultimately leading to the incorporation of Toronto Pride and decades of advocating for the right to love and be seen.

Today, we would like to thank those who have and continue to stand against harassment, persecution and unfair treatment based on who we love and what we look like. Your dedication, persistence and belief in basic human rights have made our nation, our community, a better place. We continue to support you and your mental health, as together we keep striving towards equality for all.