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POSTED

November 2nd 2020

News

March 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY: The 519 to march to Toronto City Hall for LGBTQ+ refugee rights on April  

November 2023

TDoR 2023: Statement from 2Spirit, trans, and non-binary youth / Déclaration des jeunes bispirituels, trans et non-binaires

September 2023

The 519 Board of Management Candidates 2023/24

July 2023

Notice of Annual General Meeting 2023

Call for Nominations – The 519 Annual General Meeting 2023

May 2023

[Media Advisory] The 519 Presents 'Enough is Enough!' a panel discussion addressing anti-2SLGBTQ+ hate

Pride 2023 at The 519: Upcoming Programs and Events

Green Space Festival 2023: Neighbourhood Information

[Media Advisory] Toronto’s queer and trans communities to protest against anti-2SLGBTQ+ hate on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBT)

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

The Trial of Julie Berman

In Solidarity with Ontario's Drag Performers

November 2022

City of Toronto, The 519, and Homes First Society announce Toronto’s first dedicated shelter for 2SLGBTQ+ adults

In Solidarity; A Community Vigil Honouring Colorado Victims and Survivors 

In Solidarity with Club Q

Public Statement on Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) 2022

September 2022

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Status For All: Letter to PM Justin Trudeau and Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Sean Fraser

The 519 Board of Management Candidates 2022/23

August 2022

Notice of The 519 Annual General Meeting 2022-23

[Press Release] 2SLGBTQ+ communities release Media Reference Guide as a tool for more inclusive journalism

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

#TPSWhatHappened?

The 519, along with our communities, demand answers from Toronto Police Service (TPS) and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in regards to the death of a Black trans woman who died in hospital after being apprehended by police under the Mental Health Act.

On October 26, 2020, The 519 became aware of the death of a member of our community while in police custody. Though neither the TPS nor the SIU has released the name of the person who died or any information related to what caused their death, we have received information that confirms that the individual involved was a much loved 30-year-old Black trans woman. Out of respect for grieving family and friends, who may or may not know of the details surrounding her death, we are not publishing her name at this time. To all of you who are grieving, we extend deep and heartfelt condolences. We share your grief.

Among the many questions for public officials, why has the SIU published a news release that misgenders the woman who died after being informed of this error? We refuse to wait any longer for information and answers from the TPS and the SIU that account for this loss of life. As an organization, The 519 will continue our commitment to holding organizations, agencies, and institutions publicly accountable – investigations and reviews must be honest and transparent to members of the public. Time and time again, members within the LGBTQ2S community, particularly BIPOC queer, trans, and two-spirit communities, are let down by the organizations that are mandated to serve and protect.

Those closest to this tragic loss, family and friends, are owed answers. Those in our communities are owed answers. More information is needed – and it is needed now.

We demand that the Toronto Police Service and the Special Investigations Unit uphold their responsibility for transparency and accountability, and provide the public with more information about the circumstances that led to the death of the 30-year-old Black trans woman who was taken to hospital by police. What happened? Silence, in the face of such loss, only serves to cause greater harm.

Please join us in our collective call for accountability and transparency in asking #TPSWHATHAPPENED?

Contact 43 Division at the TPS and quote Case Number: 2020-2029228. Ask them #TPSWHATHAPPENED?  

Contact the SIU and quote Case Number: 20-TCD-284. Ask them #TPSWHATHAPPENED?

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Public Statement on Trans Day of Remembrance 2020