Pride Toronto launches new safety campaign prompted by alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur

Pride Toronto is launching a new safety campaign this week, promptedby thehandling of police investigations into deaths and disappearances in Toronto'sgay village including the eight people investigatorsbelieve are the victims of alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur.

"What the Bruce McArthur affair highlighted to the community is that they have felt unsafe for well over two decades. For in that time, people have been murdered, assaulted and there has been very little redress to be experienced as people suffer,"Pride Toronto executive director OliviaNuamahsaid.

Until We're Safe is a week-long community engagement campaign, led by15LGBTorganizations, which will run across various social media platforms.

TheUntilWereSafe.orgwebsite acentral feature of the campaign sharesthe stories of 24 members of theLGBTcommunity who have been victims of homophobia or hate crimesandhighlights local resources that people can turn to for help.

"The campaign means to highlight howmembers of the community don't feel safe ...to highlight the fact that youare still the objectof harassment and violence simply for identifying asa member of the community. And if you're a person of colour, that is even three times [more likely]," Nuamah said.

As part of the campaign, Pride Toronto will also be re-introducing the minute of silence during next month's Pride parade. According to the organization, the moment of silence is tohonour thosein thecommunity who have been affected byHIV/AIDS, homophobic and transphobic laws, and hate crimes.

In addition, a Black March has been planned for the end of the parade, normally known for its rainbow colours. The march focuses on bringing attention to the eight individualsmurdered in and around the gay village over the last several years.

Pride Toronto is asking the public to honour these victims by wearing black throughout the Pride festival. Thebarriers will be opened at the end of the parade and the community will be invited to march in silence, wearing black.

This year's Pride paradeis on June 24 and will travel from the corner of Churchand Bloorstreets to Yonge-Dundas Square.