Deborah Cox, Hollywood Jade to headline Toronto fundraiser for 2SLGBTQ+ healthcare

An exciting event is returning to Toronto, bringing Hollywood Jade, dancing, drinks and Deborah Cox centre stage, all while raising funds for 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare.

ICONIC: The Big Fun Party is back for another night of entertainment, taking over Daniels Spectrum on Oct. 23 in support of Sherbourne Health’s year-round 2SLGBTQ+ programs and services.

Hosted by Hollywood Jade and headlined by Canadian R&B star Deborah Cox, the event will also feature a performance by Canada’s Drag Race winner Van Goth, alongside the Kiki House of FUBU, with DJs Red Farrow and ARMANDD keeping the party going.

But beyond the performances and dance floor, ICONIC has a bigger purpose: helping ensure 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Toronto have access to the healthcare and support they need to thrive.

Joe Goulart, director of fund development and communications at Sherbourne Health, explained that the fundraiser debuted last year as the organization ventured into a large-scale event designed to bring the community together while supporting its programming. 

“We’re bringing it back, and turning the dial up to 11 this year with talent like Deborah Cox,” Goulart told Queer & Now in an interview. 

He shared that following last year’s success, ICONIC is returning at a time when demand for Queer and Trans services at Sherbourne continues to grow.

“We saw a 42 per cent increase over the previous year,” Goulart shared. “ICONIC is a great way for us to raise funds to bridge that gap.”

Year-round 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare at Sherbourne Health

Located in downtown Toronto, Sherbourne Health provides primary care, mental health support, health promotion and community programming for 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Its services are designed to address not only immediate health concerns, but also the social barriers that can affect a person’s overall well-being.

For Najib Alamyar, director of community programs and capacity building initiatives at Sherbourne Health, that broader approach is central to understanding why Queer-specific healthcare services matter. 

“Queer-specific programming is important for a number of reasons,” Alamyar told Queer & Now, pointing to the mental health challenges disproportionately experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Data from Statistics Canada shows that 56 per cent 2SLGBTQ+ youth between 15–24 years old met criteria for at least one assessed mental health or substance-use disorder, compared with 29 per cent of cisgender heterosexual youth. Alamyar says that to this end, gender-affirming and culturally sensitive services like those offered at Sherbourne Health can help people find a safe environment to explore their identities, access support and move forward with their lives.

The need for that support can extend far beyond a doctor’s appointment. Housing insecurity, employment barriers and social isolation can all affect a person’s health, making it important for care providers to address the circumstances surrounding a patient’s needs.

“When you come to Sherbourne Health, you don’t just come [when you need] to be seen for your physical health need or mental health,” Alamyar explained. “In addition to that, we provide wraparound support that addresses the social determinants of health, such as housing, employment, and community connection, to ensure that you can thrive and move on.”

That approach is reflected in the organization’s range of programs, including its Trans and Non-Binary Career Connection program. The initiative connects participants with employers through an annual career fair, offers monthly peer support for those navigating workplace challenges and provides mentorship focused on developing leadership and employment skills. Sherbourne Health has also developed a pre- and post-operative surgery mentorship program, known as PROPS, which trains peers with lived experience to support people navigating gender-affirming surgeries.

For Alamyar, the value of these initiatives lies in connecting people with others who understand their experiences and can help them navigate systems that may otherwise feel intimidating.

“Having a mentor and someone who can guide you and hold your hand through the process, who have been trained and who have been given the tools to set proper boundaries, making sure the relationship is really semi-professional … makes a huge difference,” he says.

That emphasis on lived experience also shapes how Sherbourne Health develops and delivers its services. Alamyar says the organization prioritizes recruiting people from the communities it serves, helping create an environment where patients can feel more comfortable seeking care.

Goulart also points to the importance of representation among healthcare providers, noting that patients may feel more comfortable accessing services when they see themselves reflected in the people providing their care. For communities that have faced stigma or discrimination in healthcare settings, creating an affirming environment can be an important step toward ensuring people feel safe seeking support.

Alamyar shared that Sherbourne Health’s programming also recognizes that the experiences of Queer and Trans people are not all the same, with services including dedicated Black mental health groups for Afro-Caribbean 2SLGBTQ+ communities that offer culturally specific support. He explained that these programs are particularly important when traditional funding does not typically address the specific needs of marginalized communities.

“The 2SLGBTQ+ community is a resilient, thriving community that has achieved a lot,” he says. “We need these unique programs to address [that] and build.”

He describes the work as an investment in stronger communities, rather than simply providing individual services.

ICONIC: A party to keep Queer health care free

For Goulart, ICONIC is one way to help sustain that work while keeping programs accessible to the people who need them.

“The raising of the funds allows us to keep our programs free, which is important to equitable healthcare,” he says, adding that many of the people who access Sherbourne Health’s services would not otherwise be able to afford mental health or other forms of support.

That makes community fundraising an important part of maintaining the organization’s programming, particularly as demand increases and government funding may not cover every specialized need.

ICONIC also reflects the connections between Queer nightlife, culture and community care. Goulart says Sherbourne Health has seen young people involved in its Black Queer Youth Program and FLAME program participate in the ballroom and house scene, making the Kiki House of FUBU’s involvement especially meaningful. The event brings those worlds together for an evening of celebration while helping fund the programs that support people throughout the year.

“Without their fundraising, we would not have been able to maintain 2SLGBTQ+ programs that provide 360-degree wraparound support,” Alamyar says.

For a community that continues to navigate barriers to affirming healthcare, the night is about more than a star-studded lineup. It is also about sustaining spaces where people can access care, build connections and find support without financial barriers.

Tickets for ICONIC: The Big Fun Party are still available, with a limited number remaining. The event takes place Oct. 23 at Daniel Spectrum in Toronto.