Toronto, Ontario: On April 4 – Refugee Rights Day – The 519 and Toronto Refugee Rights Day 2024 Committee, together with our communities and allies, will march to City Hall to amplify an urgent plea to support LGBTQ+ refugees. Over 1,500 people are expected to turn up in support. 

• When: Thursday, April 4 (Refugee Rights Day) 
• Time: 11:30am to 1:30pm 
• Where: 
  • 11:00am to 12:30pm – Rally at Barbara Hall Park [519 Church St.] and march to Nathan Phillips Square [100 Queen St. W.] 
  • 12:30 to 1:30pm – Proclamation of Refugee Rights Day by Mayor Olivia Chow and speakers Lisa Duplessis (Director – Programs and Community Services, The 519) and Debbie Douglas (Executive Director, OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants) 

Click here for event details 

Why we are marching:  

• We’ve seen the number of LGBTQ+ refugees seeking our services triple since 2023. Every day, LGBTQ+ people across the world who are forcefully displaced due to violent and hateful legislation are coming to Canada in search of safety. The demand for support is increasing but resources are few. 
• Rights mean nothing without action. LGBTQ+ refugees contribute so much to our communities and country, and now’s the time to call for the urgent change needed to build opportunities for this vulnerable population. Better social services build a stronger community. 

Just the facts: 

• Since 2023, over 8,000 LGBTQ+ refugees have come to The 519 for settlement support. 

• 65+ countries criminalize LGBTQ+ people. You could be punished, or worse, put to death, just for being your authentic self. 
• 500+ anti-trans bills are currently active in the USA, leading to more LGBTQ+ refugees choosing to settle in Canada instead. Unfortunately, Canada is not immune to hate. 
• Less than 1% of LGBTQ+ refugees are granted third-country resettlement; over 80% live in countries of first asylum. They are at risk of experiencing recurring human rights violations and being forced to flee multiple times. 

The media is invited to join and amplify our call for support for LGBTQ+ refugees. Spokespersons will be available on the day of, or in advance by request.  

Media Contact: 
Megan Poole (she/her) Manager, Community Relations and Communications 
Media@The519.org • 647-471-7893  

About The 519: 
The 519 is Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ community centre and service provider, responding to the urgent and emerging needs of 2 Spirit, queer, and trans people since 1976.  

Supported by: Toronto Refugee Rights Day 2024 Committee including Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), Sojourn House Toronto, FCJ Refugee Centre, Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and Integration, Toronto Metropolitan University, Margaret’s, and Rainbow Railroad