Our TDSB community has a rich culture and history of celebrating diversity and our LGBTQ community every day. Learn more about the history of Pride by visiting Pride Toronto and learn more about how we celebrate at the TDSB.
June is Pride Month in the TDSB!
In June, we celebrate Pride in the TDSB. It’s an opportunity to celebrate diversity and raise awareness among all staff and students about the rich culture and history of our LGBTQ community.
This year, we celebrate entirely online but there's still a lot to learn about and participate in:
Director's GSA Awards
Every year, three outstanding trans-positive GSAs/QSAs in the Toronto District School Board are recognized through the Director’s GSA Awards. Three $1,000 awards are awarded to student-led groups that have demonstrated a committed effort in helping create a school climate that is safer and more positive for students and staff of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week
Ontario has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday of November as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week to help promote safe schools and a positive learning environment.
During this week, our students, staff and parents work together create learning environments that are caring, safe, peaceful, nurturing, positive, and respectful where all students are able to reach their full potential.
Promoting caring, safe and accepting spaces is an important priority of the TDSB. In 2013, the Board adopted comprehensive procedures aimed at establishing a framework to enable, support and maintain a positive school climate. To learn more please read our P.051 Caring and Safe Schools policy and our procedures PR 702: Progressive Discipline and Promoting Positive Student Behaviour and PR 703 Bullying Prevention and Intervention.
If you want support launching a GSA, planning activities, holding a Pride event, or similar school based activities, contact the Gender-Based Violence Prevention Office.
TDSB Pride History
| Year(s) |
Notable Events |
| 1995 |
The Triangle Program (Canada’s only high school classroom for LGBTQ youth) opens as a satellite of Oasis Alternative Secondary School. It serves students from ages 14-23 and operates in the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. |
| 1996 |
TDSB Triangle Program holds first “Pride Prom” |
| 1999-2000 |
The TDSB adopts and begins to implement its Equity Foundation Statement and Commitments to Equity Policy Implementation (with an anti-homophobia, sexual orientation commitment) as well as the TDSB Human Rights Policy (which includes sexual orientation and gender identity in its list of prohibited grounds) |
| 2000 |
TDSB Officially participates in the Toronto Pride Parade with a float carrying Trustees and staff and student marching contingent. |
| 2002 |
TDSB publishes ‘Rainbows and Triangles’ resource guide for anti-homophobia work in elementary schools |
| 2006 |
TDSB Publishes “Anti-Homophobia Education Resource Guide” for staff of all grade levels. |
| 2009 |
The Board establishes the Gender-Based Violence Office, the first of its kind in Canada. Their core function is to prevent and address gender-based violence, homophobia, sexual harassment, and inappropriate sexual behavior by students towards other students in their schools. |
| 2010 |
The Board adopts its Gender-based Violence Policy. |
| 2010 |
TDSB officially hosts Unity as an annual GSA student conference. |
| 2010 |
TDSB Launches its Positive Spaces Campaign – a Board-wide K-12 initiative that ensure at least one trained rep in and designated spaces or spaces in every school with the purposes of being welcoming, affirming and inclusive for students and staff of all sexual orientations, sexual identities, gender identities and gender expressions, as well as anyone seeking information or support on any issues related to bullying, violence, gender, sexuality and or healthy relationships. |
| 2011 |
The Gender Independent Group (GIG) is formed. This group meets monthly to support gender independent children and their families. |
| 2011 |
The Trustees of the TDSB unanimously declare the Board a GSA in support of students. |
| 2011 |
The Director’s Office creates a new annual student leadership award for the top 3 school students groups called Director’s GSA Awards. |
| 2011 |
TDSB Publishes “Challenging Homophobia and Heterosexism a K-12 Curriculum Resource Guide” that updated and combined all previous associated resource guides. |
| 2011 |
Guidelines for the Accommodation of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students and Staff are created by the Board. |
| 2013 |
TDSB and Egale co-host Canada’s First National GSA Summit for high school students. |
| 2014 |
TDSB Trustees endorse a motion re-affirming the Board commitment to official participation in the Toronto Pride Parade. |
Learn more
Gender-Based Violence Prevention
Caring and Safe Schools
Equitable and Inclusive Education