Durham Region community celebrates Pride at Youth Pride Durham event

Whitby, Ontario – On June 17, the Durham Region community came together for the annual Youth Pride Durham celebration at Durham Region Headquarters.  

Led by Durham Children's Aid Society and hosted by the Region of Durham, this year's event was a success due in large part to the partnership and collaboration from the Durham District School Board, Durham Regional Police Service, and the Durham Children's Aid Foundation in affiliation with Pride Durham, North Pride Durham and Toronto Pride.

Youth Pride Durham is a safe, inclusive celebration for youth, children and families who are part of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, as well as friends and supporters. This event began as a way to champion acceptance, while connecting youth and their families with resources available to support them. As attendance has grown, so has the scale of the celebration.

The festive afternoon was filled with laughter, singing and learning. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the largest Resource Village to date—a space to learn more about the programs and services offered to the 2SLGBTQI+ community, of all ages, by community service organizations across Durham Region.

Participants enjoyed family friendly activities, including a Youth Pride passport education activity, face painting, a photo booth, live performances, candy, popcorn and more.

Watch the Pride in Durham Region highlight video to see how the Durham Region community came together throughout June, including the Pride Flag raising at Durham Region Headquarters; Drag Queen Storytimes at local public libraries; the Youth Pride Durham Celebration; and a Durham Region Transit Pride bus.

For more information on Pride in Durham Region and 2SLGBTQI+ resources, visit durham.ca/Pride.

Quotes

“It is important that Durham Region is a place where diversity is embraced and each one of us is valued and included. When we come together for events, such as Youth Pride Durham, we celebrate our uniqueness and the value that each of us brings to the community. It’s an opportunity to build on the welcoming and inclusive community that we aspire for Durham Region to be.”

— Allison Hector-Alexander, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, The Regional Municipality of Durham

“Children and parents who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ need to know that organizations in our communities and the people at those organizations support, respect and care about them, and will stand up and advocate for them. By coming together for Youth Pride Durham, we raise awareness and help inform others who are learning about the challenges faced by individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQI+.”

 — Durham Children’s Aid Society

Quick facts:

• In 2018, in response to increased incidents of bullying against queer youth in Durham Region, community organizations came together with a goal to embrace, engage and empower 2SLGBTQI+ youth, allies and their families.
• The Youth Pride Durham Resource Village brings together community service organizations, from across Durham Region, to share information about the programs and supports available to 2SLGBTQI+ communities of all ages. More than 40 organizations participated in 2023.
• Resources and support are important because 2SLGBTQI+ youth are at a greater risk of depression and anxiety; substance abuse; family rejection; violence and exploitation; verbal, sexual and physical harassment; homelessness; living in poverty; food insecurity; and suicide (at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth).
• Pride Month events have taken place throughout June. Festivities included Pride Flag raisings; Drag Queen Storytimes—with a record number of attendees across all public libraries (more than 1,000 people); and the Youth Pride Durham Celebration.
• Durham Region celebrates Pride Month.
• Youth Pride Durham Celebration.
• Youth Pride Durham on Facebook.

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Media inquiries:

Durham Region Corporate Communications

CorporateCommunications@durham.ca

Durham Children’s Aid Society

Andrea Maenza, Communications Coordinator

905-433-1551 extension 2364

durhamcas.ca