George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Team GBC’s energy and spirit reflected this year’s Pride Toronto theme, 'All In,' and employees and students showcased our college values and how we are working together to build spaces and communities on campus and beyond where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and that they belong.
More than 100 members of the GBC community marched in the parade on Sunday, June 29. The weather was perfect, with the GBC contingent’s bright blue T-shirts mirroring a clear blue sky. Marchers showed our Pride@GBC messaging on shirts, baseball hats, our banner, and on hand-held signs that also served as fans (it felt like 31 degrees Celsius with the humidity).
Anticipation was high as the GBC crew gathered in the parade staging area, preparing to take our spot in the massive march. They hit the parade route around 4 p.m., which started just north of Yonge and Bloor and made its way down Yonge, ending at Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto City Hall.
Employees and students brought big energy to the sunny Sunday celebration, and we asked: What Does Pride Mean to You?
What Does Pride Mean to You?
Greg Baross, Student Systems Manager
“It means getting together with everyone and celebrating and just being happy.”
Jennifer Grant, AVP, OAREHRS
“Pride means inclusion, it means having fun even during challenging times and being in community, being proud of who you are, and celebrating yourself.”
Michael Herrera, SVP, Institutional Planning and CFO
“As much as it is a time to celebrate, it’s also a time to reflect and work hard to ensure there is equality for each and every one of us everywhere.”
Toby Lew, Peer Leader
“Just being who you are. That’s the simplest way I can put it.”
Julie Montgomery, Professor, CHCA
“It means being free to be who I am, and proud of who I am, especially at GBC. It’s an amazing institution because we celebrate it so much and so vocally. I also feel, especially this year, with what's going on politically, it's also a protest to say we are here, don't take our rights away, and to celebrate the camaraderie and to be with one another.”
Mary Ola, Senior Manager, Black Futures
“Pride is an amazing time to celebrate our 2SLGBTQIA community. As someone who has a sister who’s queer, I love showing up and supporting them, letting them know they matter, they are valued and it's just a great way to celebrate queer love.”
An amazing month of Pride@GBC programming
GBC marching in the Pride Toronto Parade capped off another great month of programming, organized by Wren Alden, Awareness and Education Program Coordinator for OAREHRS, the Pride Working Group, and colleagues at the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Services (OAREHRS) and across the college.
Our 2025 Pride celebrations started with a kick-off celebration as part of our historic hosting of the 94th annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences (we were the first college to host!). The month included other GBC Congress programming facilitated by Black Futures Initiatives and the Black Futures Do Tank.
Other Pride @ GBC programming included workshops, art and yoga-themed events, a movie night, as well as Indigenous Knowledge Keepers Series events with a keynote on Two-Spirit resurgence and a session exploring queerness from a decolonial perspective, drawing on Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews.
Employees and students can visit the OAREHRS website for 2SLGBTQIA+ resources and support, and for information on how to be an ally and combat discrimination in all its forms.
Meet Wren Alden, Awareness and Education Program Co-ordinator for the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity & Human Rights Services, the employee behind GBC’s Pride programming.
"To me, Pride means solidarity. In disability spaces, we often say “nothing about us without us.” That 'us,' 2SLGBTQIA+ people, are everywhere, across all abilities, cultures, classes, religions, and walks of life. We’re truly a diverse tapestry of communities! With that in mind, we can’t say that we’ve achieved 'love is love' or everyone’s 'free to be me' without tackling colonialism, racism, gender-based violence, ableism, and all the intertwined systems of power and oppression that shape how we live.”
