Ontario Supporting LGBTQ Community at 2015 Games
#PrideHouseTO
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Inclusion and Diversity to be a Centrepiece of Games
Ontario is continuing to make inclusion and diversity a priority for the TORONTO 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. With provincial support, PrideHouse Toronto (PrideHouseTO) is committed to making the 2015 Games a ground-breaking event for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer (LGBTQ) inclusion.
“PrideHouse Toronto’s plan for the 2015 Games is designed to advance inclusion in sport, while offering high-calibre cultural, celebration and Games-watching spaces. With the Government of Ontario’s support we’re setting a new standard for LGBT inclusion in multi-sport games” Matthew Cutler, PrideHouseTO Project Director
Funding will support various activities, such as 25 days of community programming at the PrideHouseTO pavilion in downtown Toronto, commissioned art projects and the PrideHouse Celebrates Sports Zone in the Church-Wellesley Village where people can try out a variety of sports and meet representatives of local sport organizations. In addition, inclusion training and planning for volunteer-led events in several communities will be provided with the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
“We’re so proud of Ontario’s rich diversity and commitment to inclusion and we look forward to showcasing it at next summer’s TO2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. These Games will highlight our strong and vibrant LGBTQ community and PrideHouseTO will play a central role in doing so.” Michael Coteau, Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games
Supporting a memorable and successful 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Quick Facts
- The Ontario government is supporting diversity and inclusion in the 2015 Games with funding to showcase Aboriginal heritage and traditions and to celebrate Francophone culture as well.
- An estimated 1,500 hours of programming will be delivered at the PrideHouse pavilion, with over 10,000 visitors expected to take part over the course of the Games.
- The 519 Church Street Community Centre is a trustee for the PrideHouseTO initiative – a collaborative of 15 local, national and international LGBTQ organizations who are behind the development, implementation, evaluation and documentation of an LGBTQ-inclusive experience leading up to, during and following the 2015 Games.
- Through its Games Promotion, Celebration and Legacy Strategy, Ontario is investing $100,000 in PrideHouseTO.
- In total, the Ontario government is contributing nearly $700,000 to PrideHouseTO – the single-largest investment in LGBTQ inclusion in multi-sport games history.
