July 2023
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2023
Call for Nominations – The 519 Annual General Meeting 2023
June 2023
[Media Advisory] The 519’s Green Space Festival 2023 lineup celebrates trans excellence
May 2023
Pride 2023 at The 519: Upcoming Programs and Events
Green Space Festival 2023: Neighbourhood Information
March 2023
Trans Day of Visibility: How can we commit to being visible allies?
[Press Release] The 519 to Honour Esteemed Author John Irving with Ally Award
International Women's Day 2023: Women, Life, Freedom
February 2023
Re: Sentencing of Colin Harnack in murder of Julie Berman
December 2022
In Solidarity with Ontario's Drag Performers
November 2022
In Solidarity; A Community Vigil Honouring Colorado Victims and Survivors
Public Statement on Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) 2022
September 2022
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The 519 Board of Management Candidates 2022/23
August 2022
Notice of The 519 Annual General Meeting 2022-23
June 2022
Call for Nominations – The 519 Annual General Meeting 2022-23
World Refugee Day: Support LGBTQ+ Refugees Every Day
Green Space Festival 2022: Neighbourhood Information
Green Space Festival announces 2022 lineup: a Pride-weekend party in support of 2SLGBTQ+ communities
Pride 2022 at The 519: Upcoming Programs and Events
April 2022
Lifting the Blood Ban: A Step in the Right Direction
March 2022
Trans Day of Visibility: Affirmations and Calls to Action
International Women's Day: Our History, Our Reality, Out Future
The 519 Black Collective was created in July 2020 by Black staff members of The 519 with the mission to confront and advocate against anti-Black racism, and to promote equity for all Black people, specifically Black 2 Spirited, queer, and trans communities.
In 2021, The Collective proudly shared its first public Black History Month reflections dedicated to the loss of a beloved Black staff member. We also harnessed Black History Month 2021 as a launchpad for promoting local Black 2SLGBTQ-owned/run businesses.
In keeping with 2022’s Black History month’s global theme, ‘Black Health & Wellness’, The Collective would like to shine a spotlight on the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black communities. The City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Ethno-Racial Identity & Income Report shows that COVID-19 hospitalization rates for Toronto’s Black communities are over 140% higher than the general population (353 per 100,000 for Black communities compared with 201 per 100,000 of the general population)*. According to the report, the reasons for this include:
It should also be noted that Black women who are invested in invisible labour with grassroots organizations, social services, and domestic labour, are facing greater COVID-19-related job losses and loss of wages than men, and have had large decreases in working hours due to child care and school closures. Whilst the income and employment impacts noted are true for all women, we know that the compounding effect of racism means these outcomes severely impact Black women; and are exhaustive for Black trans women.
As you reflect on the contents of this statement, and beyond, ask yourself the question: What holds me back from supporting systemic change for Black 2SLGBTQ+ communities?
The 519 Black Collective calls on all Torontonians to join us in the struggle for equitable access to healthcare, livable income protections, and safe and affordable housing for Black communities facing systemic barriers.
We recognize racism must be understood as its own relentless and parallel pandemic, and that the work of building a better City for Black communities must happen not just in February, but every day of every month.
“Do your little bit of good where you are. It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
-Viola Desmond-