by Michael Holmes
In the summer of 1971, a group of lesbian and gay activists organized Toronto’s first Gay Day picnic at Hanlan’s Point Beach on the Toronto Islands. The picnic would be the beginning of Toronto’s annual Pride celebrations.
The following year was the first week-long Pride celebration, a series of events including the second annual picnic and the first Pride march in Toronto. Watch an interview with Hugh Brewster and Gerald Hannon about the 1972 Pride march here.
Forty-three years after Toronto’s first Gay Day picnic, the city will host WorldPride, June 20-29, 2014.
The ArQuives holds many posters, photos, and ephemera from past Pride events. Scroll down to view a selection of posters from our collection.
Poster for Gay Pride Picnic, Ward’s Island, Toronto,1972.
Poster for Gay Pride Week, Toronto, 1973.
Poster for Gay Pride Week, Vancouver, 1973.
Poster for Lesbian & Gay Pride Day, Toronto, 1981.
Poster for Lesbian and Gay Pride Day, Toronto, 1984.