Pride Toronto working with security firms amid reported rise in attacks on LGBTQ community

Members of the LGBTQ community say they're eager to celebrate the in-person return of Pride Toronto's upcomingfestival weekend after two years of COVID-19 cancellations.

But amid the jubilation there are also safety concerns, and PrideToronto says it will be working with private securityfirms andwill check people entering designated spaces for weapons using a security wand to ensure attendees can celebrate without fear.

Executive director Sherwin Modeste says the organization has seen an increase in attacks on people and groups doing LGBTQ advocacy.

"We are working very closely with our security firms and our staff are going to be doing their due diligence to ensure that the festival is safe," he said.

Toronto police not invited to march this year

Toronto police said officers will continue to monitor security issues in Toronto over the weekend and make adjustments to their plans to mitigate any potential risks to public safety.

Toronto police were not invited to march in this year's parade. In 2019, members of Pride Toronto voted against allowing uniformed police officers to participate in the annual march, a decision Modeste said has not changed.

The Canadian Anti-Hate Network, a non-profit organization that monitors hate groups and crimes in Canada, said they are aware of a spike in anti-LGBTQ material online and in-person during this Pridemonth.

Kelly Spencer, owner of Indigo Lounge Wellness Centre in Tillsonburg, Ont., says she received a threatening and homophobic letter earlier this month and Pride flags outside her business were burned, slashed and soiled.

"I initially felt very angry and to be honest a little scared, with the threats," she wrote in a Facebook post about the incident. "Not being homophobic or not being racist is not enough anymore."

She said she puts Pride flags outside her business every summer, but there's been a trend of anti-LGBTQ crimes in her community this year.

Anti-Prideincidents all the more reason to partake: advocate

A number of recent anti-Pride incidents have taken place in Oxford County, including stolen and vandalized Pride flags in Norwich, Ont. and a defaced rainbow-coloured crosswalk in downtown Ingersoll, Ont.

Hazel Woodrow, an education facilitator with the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, said that's only more reason for LGBTQ people and allies to attend Pride events.

"That's sort of the point, to scare people away from it," she said.

Advocacy group The 519 says anti-LGBTQ sentiments and attacks are nothing new, but community members are looking forward to supporting and celebrating each other during festival weekend happening June 24 to 26.

"There's a real feeling of strength and support in numbers, so to finally be able to get back to that is a huge relief," said Curran Stikuts, the group's director of public interest and community relations.

Organizers say this year's parade will be one of the largest they have ever held, featuring more than 300 registered organizations and 35,000 expected marchers, as attendees look to celebrate the LGBTQ community together again.

"They are eager to celebrate and to party, but they are also eager to send a message to the global world that there are still queer folks being denied (basic human) rights," said Modeste.