Community members work up a sweat at The 519’s 7th annual Sports Day

August 14, 2026

Community members work up a sweat at The 519’s 7^th annual Sports Day

Late last month, 2SLGBTQ+ communities came together on one of the city’s most recognizable fields for The 519’s Sports Day. In a political climate where 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion in sports is under threat, Sports Day breaks down barriers, especially for those who may have difficulties participating in traditional athletics.  The day’s festivities take place at U of T’s beautiful, state-of-the-art Varsity Stadium.

The sense of freedom and fun is palpable at Sports Day, which is organized in partnership with Hart House and the University of Toronto’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Attendees enjoyed performances by drag performer Fleur Fantasie, and Gayly Forward, Toronto’s queer marching band. Sports organizations like Queer Dodgeball Toronto and the Rainbow Griffins Rugby team were there to help attendees get involved in local inclusive sports.

“Here, everybody is free,” says Peter, winner of the day’s 1,500 metre dash event, who came to Canada from Kenya. Peter shocked viewers in the stands when he entirely lapped all his fellow racers. “My watch doesn’t have charge, so I don’t know my pace, but I’m enjoying connecting with people. It’s good.”

Sports Day is open to all of The 519’s program participants, and many of the attendees are people who use the services of The 519’s New to Canada programs. These community members come from one of the over 60 countries where being queer or trans is punishable by law. The 519’s New to Canada programs offer legal assistance with immigration hearings, support groups for navigating life in a new country, and much more.

“There are a lot of things here today that I’ve never seen before,” says Samuel, who came to Canada from Ghana. “I’ve never seen a marching band, only on TV.”

At Sports Day, Samuel enjoyed taking part in the 100-metre race, and soccer, a sport he said reminded him of his partner in Ghana. But he says the best part of the day was making new connections.

“I just made a new friend named John. He’s here, and now if I’m having difficulties, or he’s having difficulties, we can meet up and discuss. We have support,” Samuel says.

Sports are one of the most common ways people make friends, but they are often expensive. Refugee claimants aren’t always immediately able to legally work when they arrive in Canada, and they are often focused on securing affordable housing, navigating legal claims, and learning a new language. Factors like these can put gym memberships, class fees, or sports equipment out of reach. In addition to accessing recreational activities, attendees at Sports Day also had the opportunity to take home gym clothes and shoes that were donated by members of our community.

For Martha, a highlight of sports day was the opportunity to try yoga. “Yoga makes you relax your mind, your muscles,” she says. Martha came to Canada from Nigeria in 2023. She says such a queer and trans sporting event would be impossible back home, even in secret. “I used to tell [The 519] in emails, that I was so depressed. Here, I feel like a human being again. I’m not being discarded or stigmatized. I feel at home with The 519.”

“I love dancing. I’m good at dancing. It’s my favourite thing from back home,” says Mary, who came to Canada from Uganda. “I was also a goal keeper in soccer today. I’m not so good, but I tried anyway!”

She laughs heartily.

“In my country, who I am is prohibited. Here, I’m free, and I do what I want. I love it.”

Holiness shook her groove thing in the dance portion of Sports Day, and enjoyed watching some of the other sports taking place.

“Just being within the community where everybody supports everybody, in a country that supports me, that’s such a big relief,” she says, looking out onto the fierce soccer matches happening on the field. “They’re so good! Maybe we’re going to the world cup!”

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