Impact Stories

Animating Their Story

August 2019

Impact Through Youth Engagement

Teddy felt isolated after coming out. All that changed when they found community and explored opportunities for their artistic expression.

A Lifetime of Reflection

July 2019

Impact Through Community Support

Carol came out to her parents when she was 42 years old. Now 75, she continues to seek safe spaces where she can be herself without fear of exclusion.

A Woman of Colour

December 2018

Impact Through Community Leadership

Evana Ortigoza comes in every Tuesday to participate in the Trans People of Colour (TPOC) project at The 519 as a peer leader. But her relationship with us spans two decades.

A Heart of Gold

December 2018

Impact Through Service

He came to Canada as a student to learn English. He stayed in Canada as an LGBTQ refugee to live a life free of discrimination.

Claiming Her Rights

June 2018

Impact Through Programs and Services

Deborah identifies as a black lesbian feminist with a resolve developed over a long journey of self-discovery that led to her claiming refuge in Canada.

Giving Back The Support

March 2018

Impact Through Holistic Programs

A program participant in our Refugee Support program at The 519 shares his experience of volunteering at The 519.

Some short stories from our Sunday Drop-In program – our weekly food program that offers a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ2S people of all ages who may be experiencing poverty, homelessness, underhousing or social isolation.

Changing the Legacy for Refugee Claimants

October 2017

Impact Through Space and Advocacy

A previous program participant of our refugee support program, Among Friends, and now a staff member at The 519, Sebastian decided to initiate an advocacy group called Canadian Legacy Refugee Advocacy and Alliance to provide help to legacy refugee claimants in Canada – and The 519 offered support.

Fay & Fluffy's Storytime: Reading is FUNdamental – with The 519

September 2017

Impact Through Community Engagement

The 519 – in collaboration with other partners– hosts Fay & Fluffy’s Storytime: Reading is FUNdamental as a monthly series. Both Fay Slift and Fluffy Soufflé share a strong love for fun, learning, and community building. Their storytime sessions, which alternate between The 519 and a community partner venue, are free community events, open for all families.

Let's Talk About The World

June 2017

Impact Through Space and Leadership

Latoya Nugent, a prominent Jamaican LGBTQ activist, recently participated in a panel discussion at The 519 – “Until We Are Free: The Global Struggle for LGBTQ Human Rights.” The discussion was part of the series Human Rights Panels organized by Pride Toronto and The 519 during the month of Pride, 2017.

Alex is Among Friends

June 2017

Impact Through Programs and Services

Alex left Ukraine and arrived in Canada in 2016 in search of a life that offers safety, freedom and full participation. As a gay man he faced violence, harassment and systemic discrimination for many years, until he was left with only two choices – to end his life or begin a new one. He chose the latter.

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The 519 is committed to the health and full participation of LGBTQ2S communities in Toronto and beyond by offering a wide range of programs and services, responsive to to the changing needs of our communities . We hope that you will also support us so we can sustain and expand these programs and services.

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