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All stories in: Queer & Now

  • A new project is calling for 2SLGBTQIA people to share their stories about The 519 — Here’s one man’s tale of growing up with Queer elders

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Dane Bland, 33, says growing up with two Queer mothers gave him a strong sense of safety and acceptance when he came...
    Group of four people enjoying outdoor scenery and cityscape in Toronto, with mountains in the background and sunny weather.
    CultureFeatured

  • Marina Mabrey brings basketball and inspiration to Toronto youth summer camp following $6,500 donation

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey visited a North York summer camp run by the Black Women’s Institute for Health (BWIH). Mabrey raised...
    Marina Mabrey interacts with Toronto youth at a camp, surrounded by children and volunteers, promoting basketball and community support.
    CultureFeatured

  • Kehlani delivers a sexy, nostalgic and unapologetically Queer night in Toronto

    Devon Banfield

    It was nothing short of a Sapphic sanctuary on Sunday night at RBC Amphitheatre, with R&B superstar Kehlani taking over the stage with a decade...
    Two female performers on stage during a concert, both wearing purple outfits and tattoos visible, with blue lighting in the background.
    CultureFeatured

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  • ‘We are not these vectors of disease anymore,’ New campaign takes aim at HIV stigma

    Devon Banfield

    What to know ‘Just Say It!’ is a new national campaign using social media to spark open, candid conversations about HIV and reduce stigma. The...
    Two women having a conversation on a green sofa in a modern, well-lit studio with large windows and indoor plants.
    CultureFeatured

  • From drag king to activist: One Toronto woman’s remarkable journey through five decades of Queer history

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Hager grew up in Calgary during the 1960s and 1970s, a time and place where violence and threats were common for Queer...
    Toronto woman in her 60s with glasses, purple shirt, and hat, reflecting her journey through five decades of Queer history, featured in NOW Toronto.
    CultureFeatured

  • They couldn’t legally marry, but they held a wedding anyway. Now this Toronto couple is celebrating 30 years together

    Devon Banfield

    One Toronto Lesbian couple reminds us of how far Queer rights have progressed in the last 30 years. Sitting across from Heather Jamieson and Christine...
    Two women sitting outdoors in front of green foliage and pink flowers, smiling at the camera, one with short gray hair and glasses, the other with short brown hair.
    CultureFeatured

  • ‘The history of the Queer movement is not all white boys,’ The often untold story behind marriage equality in Canada

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage when the Civil Marriage Act came into force on July...
    A woman with short blonde hair, red glasses, and a dark blazer, and a couple at a wedding, smiling and holding hands, celebrating marriage equality in Canada.
    CultureFeatured

  • ‘What do we actually fall in love with?’: Why ‘Twelfth Night’ is Shakespeare’s ‘Queerest’ play

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Dream in High Park is hosting a special Queer Night performance of Twelfth Night, creating a welcoming space for Toronto's 2SLGBTQIA+ community....
    Audience watching an outdoor Shakespeare play in a park with a large crowd seated on the grass and trees in the background.
    CultureFeatured

  • Olympian Quinn warns Canada is ‘a few steps behind’ U.S. on anti-Trans policies

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Quinn, an Olympic gold medallist and the first out Non-Binary Olympian, says growing anti-Trans rhetoric and legislation in Canada show the country...
    Olympian Quinn in a red sports jersey smiling outdoors with a track and field in the background, and heart-shaped pink and blue bath bombs on display.
    CultureFeatured

  • International Drag Day 2026: 8 drag shows and brunches to check out in Toronto this week

    Devon Banfield

    What to know International Drag Day is celebrated on July 16, honouring the artistry, creativity and cultural impact of drag performers around the world. Three...
    Three women in glamorous outfits and a woman with red hair biting into a cake at a celebration, showcasing Toronto's vibrant entertainment scene.
    CultureFeatured

  • This BIPOC Sapphic beach day is making Toronto’s historic Queer beach more inclusive

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Sapphic Shore returns to Hanlan's Point for its second annual BIPOC sapphic beach day, offering a free gathering centred on community, belonging...
    Two BIPOC women relaxing and laughing on a sandy beach, celebrating inclusivity and queer culture at Toronto's historic Queer beach.
    CultureFeatured

  • My First Pride: Newcomers and activists on what visibility, safety and celebrating Pride really mean

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Pride Toronto’s “My First Pride” contingent gives 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers their first opportunity to celebrate their identities publicly after arriving from countries where...
    CultureFeatured

  • From Hanlan’s Point to citywide celebration: Pride Toronto reflects on 45 years of activism and change

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Pride Toronto traces its roots to early 1970s grassroots organizing, including the 1971 Gay Day Picnic at Hanlan’s Point and the first...
    Colorful rainbow flags waving at Pride Toronto event celebrating LGBTQ+ activism and diversity in Toronto.
    Culture

  • Toronto Pride Festival weekend: What you need to know before you go

    Devon Banfield

    What to know Toronto Pride Festival runs this weekend in the Church-Wellesley Village with live entertainment, vendors and community events. The weekend features three major...
    Diverse group of people holding rainbow flags and a welcoming banner at Toronto Pride Festival weekend.
    CultureFeaturedYour City

  • The 519 at 50: How a Toronto building slated for demolition became a Queer Canadian landmark

    Devon Banfield

    Before it became the heart of Toronto's Queer Village, The 519 was a building destined for demolition. Fifty years later, the community centre is celebrating...
    Colorful mural on Toronto building celebrating love and community, part of The 519's 50th anniversary, highlighting LGBTQ+ pride and activism.
    CultureFeaturedYour City

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