Pride started with the Stonewall riots as a response to the frequent and targeted police raids of gay bars.. The origins of Pride have always been resistance and creating space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This edition of Power & Voice is North York Women’s Shelter’s way of honouring the ethos of Pride – one of fighting back systems that oppress and institutions that perpetuate harm.

Power & Voice: Pride is our way of honouring the tradition of activism and resistance from queer communities. It’s our way of centering 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, their work, their activism, and making space for them to speak to the issues affecting their community. We intentionally release it today, the final day of June, to remind ourselves and our communities that just because Pride month ends, just because June is over, does not mean these issues no longer require our support.