The 519

The 519 Founded in 1976. The Centre offers internationally renowned Programs and Services as well as offering meeting space to our diverse downtown communities.
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A City of Toronto agency, registered charity, and community centre, The 519 is committed to the health, happiness and full participation of 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Toronto and beyond - through service, space, and leadership. Every year, The 519 houses over 75 volunteer-run programs (in areas of community services, education, recreation, and self-help), and welcomes over 150 user groups (in areas o

f community fundraising, off-site recreation, professional associations and unions, social activists, social service organizations and tenants’ organizations). Every year over 50,000 individuals visit the centre over 200,000 times. Privacy Notice:

The personal information you provide to The 519 through Facebook is collected in compliance with the City of Toronto Act 2006. Personal information will be used by The 519 for the purpose of receiving your RSVP for an event or replying to your inquiries about The 519. The 519 will not trade personal information with other organizations. Questions about this collection can be directed to the Office Manager of The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St., Toronto, ON. M4Y 2C9 or by phone at 416-355-6772.

Throwing Green Space Festival, Toronto’s hottest party for a cause, takes months of planning and would not be possible w...
06/19/2026

Throwing Green Space Festival, Toronto’s hottest party for a cause, takes months of planning and would not be possible without the support of our sponsors! We’d like to extend a special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, TD for their long-time support of the Festival and the work of The 519.

“Pride is about connection, visibility, and belonging. Community-led events like Green Space Festival play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening community,” said Alicia Rose, AVP, Global Social Impact, Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group. “As The 519 marks 50 years of impact, we’re proud to support the essential work they do every day to create welcoming spaces where people feel at home and able to be themselves – not just during Pride, but all year long.”

We are deeply grateful to TD for their ongoing support of our community. Join us June 24 to 28 under the stars and the foliage in Barbara Hall Park for a true celebration of 2SLGBTQ+ community and joy!

[Image descriptions: 1 - A drag queen performing for the crowd at Green Space Festival. Text reads: :Thank you to our presenting sponsor: followed by the logo of TD. 2 - Quote from a representative of TD.]

Ahead of World Refugee Day (June 20), we're also reflecting on the obstacles facing q***r and trans refugees seeking saf...
06/19/2026

Ahead of World Refugee Day (June 20), we're also reflecting on the obstacles facing q***r and trans refugees seeking safety in Canada.

Thousands of LGBTQ+ people are seeking refuge in Canada because their sexuality, gender, or sexual characteristics are criminalized in their home countries. 60+ countries still criminalize LGBTQ+ people’s existence.

The federal government's passing of Bill C-12, cuts to refugee healthcare, housing instability, delayed work permits, and rising anti-refugee rhetoric are not just abstract policy issues. They are pushing the most vulnerable members of our communities deeper into crisis and leaving frontline services and community organizations to respond to preventable harm.

Defend Refugees, a coalition of LGBTQ+ refugees, advocates, frontline organizations, and community partners convened by The 519 and Rainbow Railroad, has written an open letter to Prime Minister Carney asking for 3 specific and immediate actions.

Like, share, sign the open letter, and raise your voice. Let's show up for LGBTQ+ refugees.
Read more and sign the open letter. Visit DefendRefugees.org

The AIDS Memorial Storytelling Project has collected stories from the loved ones of people on the AIDS Memorial in Barba...
06/18/2026

The AIDS Memorial Storytelling Project has collected stories from the loved ones of people on the AIDS Memorial in Barbara Hall Park. These stories can be found at TOAIDSMemorial.com. Toronto’s AIDS Candlelight Vigil will take place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 9 p.m. at Barbara Hall Park [519 Church St.]. This year's theme is “42 Years of Building Community: Legacy, Love, and Resistance."

Community member Jakob English’s partner Jack Pearce told us about him:

“On January 10th, 2025, Jakob Howard English of the city of Toronto, passed away at 65 years of age.�
Jake was born and lived his entire life in Toronto. In his early teens, his residence was a boy’s group home off Broadview Avenue. He enrolled in college food preparation and safety courses and then had a long-time career with VIA Rail Canada under his birth name, Robert Holliday.

Jake was a proud supporter of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and, for many years, was a dedicated part of Toronto’s Leather community, holding the title of Mr. Spearhead Bootblack 2010. He then went on to win the city title of Bootblack Toronto 2011 among the largest field of contestants in the contest’s history. Jake’s chosen charity for the year was the 519 Church Street Community Centre, and he and his fellow titleholder family raised an impressive total of just over six thousand dollars.

Jake also placed first runner-up at the International Mr. Bootblack contest in Chicago. He was the recipient of the BBT Fellowship and the IMBB Brotherhood Award. He was also honoured with the Pantheon of Leather Canadian Award, the Heart of the Flag Federation Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Spearhead Appreciation Award.

During Jake’s title years and throughout his life, Jake worked to ensure equal rights for those of different sexual genders and identities. Over several decades, he volunteered with several not-for-profit organizations, such as the Toronto PWA Foundation, Heart of the Flag Federation Inc., and the 519 Community Centre.

Jake was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by his many chosen family members, both from his childhood and from the United States. Jake was also an avid animal lover and had several cats and dogs, including his beloved binky, Paddington(s), Rock, Jessie, and Tess. Jake will be remembered for his kindness, humility, loyalty, generosity, love, and open heart.

Jake is predeceased by his two partners, Jack Finlayson and David Bzdel, and survived by former partners Peter Lomax and Jack Pearce and the rest of his loving family of choice.

“Love will abide; keep it in stride” – Linda Ronstadt
Rest in peace with all our gratitude and love.
Memorial donations may be made to Jake’s chosen community agencies: the 519 Community Centre, Toronto PWA, and Casey House.

Our Postcards To The Future project - part of our 50th anniversary initiatives - is well under way! We commissioned thre...
06/18/2026

Our Postcards To The Future project - part of our 50th anniversary initiatives - is well under way! We commissioned three artists to create postcard art that community could feel inspired by while writing their messages to The 519. One of them is Toronto-based queen non-binary Malaysian artist En Tze Lo ()(they/them)

Starting as a tattoo artist, En Tua Lo has since ventured into many different art forms including filmmaking, production design, illustration, graphic design, as well as running their own q***r & gothic inspired art & apparel brand GRRRL Spells since 2015.

Their two postcards they made for us are called “Perfect Flower”, and “the Future”. “Perfect Flower” draws attention to the gender variations in flowers, and creates a parallel to the beauty of human beings stepping outside the gender binary. “The Future” is a blank tarot card that asks the viewer to imagine and draw 2SLGBTQ+ futures themselves.

Learn more about how you take part in Postcards to the Future at The519.org/50. Link in bio!

[Image description: Two pieces of art, one is a blank all-white tarot card labelled, "The Future", the other has a realistic hand, with a juxtaposed green outline of a hand covered in flowers.]

The Green Space Festival 2026 Access Guide is here! Together, we look out for one another and create a space where every...
06/17/2026

The Green Space Festival 2026 Access Guide is here!

Together, we look out for one another and create a space where everyone can feel safe, celebrated, and free to enjoy an unforgettable experience while supporting an important cause.

The Festival is FREE and open to everyone. Every year we work to make the Festival as inclusive and enjoyable as possible. A key part of that commitment is ensuring the space meets the diverse access needs of our attendees, volunteers, and staff in the best possible way.

We recognize that accessibility is an ongoing and evolving process. Our communities hold a wide range of experiences and needs. We are also mindful of the limitations of the site where the Festival takes place.

With this in mind, this guide is designed to help you plan your visit and navigate the space. We are continually improving based on community feedback and are committed to making Green Space Festival more accessible each year.

Learn more at The519.org/access-gsf

[Image descriptions: 1 - A person on a mobility device hugging another person who is standing in Barbara Hall Park. They are surrounded by smiling people. Text below reads "The Green Space Festival 2026 Access Guide is here!" 2 - Heading text reads " New this year" followed by the icon of a tent explaining details about the new Accessibility Info Tent and the icon of a sunflower in a green circle to explain the new sunflower stickers. Text at the bottom asks users to reads more on The 519's website.]

Pride is here and things are going to get hot, quite literally! Let’s take care of ourselves and each other:- Intoxicati...
06/17/2026

Pride is here and things are going to get hot, quite literally! Let’s take care of ourselves and each other:

- Intoxication and overdose risk increases in the heat. If using, take small amounts, and go slow. Test your supply.
- Drink plenty of water. Offer others water and remind them to hydrate. Keep cool in the shade or indoors.
- Naloxone, gum, candy, condoms, l**e; bring what you need to have a safer, fun time. Don’t party alone.

Learn more about heat relief at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/heat/

[Image descriptions: Photos of people partying at Green Space Festival. Graphics share details about hydration, what to bring along to have a safer, fun time, and micro-dosing and drug testing.]

This year, during Pride, The 519 is asking you to Love the Lovers. Love is at the core of what The 519 does – with your ...
06/16/2026

This year, during Pride, The 519 is asking you to Love the Lovers.

Love is at the core of what The 519 does – with your support – every single day. Our work reflects love for our community, our staff, our donors, and everyone who walks through our doors seeking love, connection, and belonging. At The 519, our work is done by an Army of Lovers at the centre of the fight for 2SLGBTQ+ rights and freedom.

Meet Bernardo and his volunteer Thomas.

Bernardo (he/him) is the Trans Youth Programs Coordinator at The 519. His work involves supporting the building of capacity, employability, community, and connection through our Trans Youth Mentorship Program. Every day, love is reflected in Bernardo’s work.

“During Trans Day of Remembrance last year, our Trans Youth Mentorship Program participants came up with a performance called Letters to My Past Self, in which they read words of love and encouragement to themselves as children. This made me realize that I think of my work as a love letter to trans and gender diverse youth everywhere – and to my younger self as well."

Right now, an anonymous donor is matching all gifts to The 519 up to $50,000. Donate today to Love the Lovers, just like Bernardo and Thomas. Thank you!

Looking to do some good this during this Pride Month? Here’s our curated Pride 2026 shopping guide! We’ve put together a...
06/16/2026

Looking to do some good this during this Pride Month? Here’s our curated Pride 2026 shopping guide!

We’ve put together a list of local businesses who are raising essential funds in support our work serving 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Shop with pride and confidence while giving back!

Visit The519.org/support-the-519/yourprideshoppingguide/

[Image description: Two people across a pop-up store front transacting. Text below reads: “Your Pride 2026 Shopping Guide: In support of The 519's programs and services”.]

The 519's EarlyON Child and Family Centre is hiring for the position of Program Facilitator, Child and Family Programs.R...
06/15/2026

The 519's EarlyON Child and Family Centre is hiring for the position of Program Facilitator, Child and Family Programs.

Reporting to the Manager of Intergenerational Programs and Services, this position is responsible for supporting the delivery of The 519’s Child and Family Programs for children 0 to 6 years, families, caregivers, and prospective families of diverse identities and configurations.

Apply no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, June 29. Learn more at The519.org/careers.

[Image description: A child posing with a unicorn puppet, smiling. Text below reads: "The 519 - We are hiring - Program Facilitator, Child and Family Programs (Casual/Relief). Apply by Monday, June 29, 4 p.m."]

Pride started with people showing up for each other, speaking out, and demanding change.Join The 519’s Army of Lovers th...
06/15/2026

Pride started with people showing up for each other, speaking out, and demanding change.

Join The 519’s Army of Lovers this Friday, June 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. at The 519 for PRINT. MARCH. DEFEND., a community silk screening and Pride prep pop-up in support of our Defend Refugees campaign. Free, drop in, all ages welcome!

Create your own Pride gear, make a statement, and help build a movement. Bring a t-shirt, tote bag, patch, bandana, or other fabric item and silkscreen campaign designs onto it. Make buttons, pick up posters, stickers, and campaign materials, and help spread the message ahead of World Refugee Day (June 20).

An army of lovers defends refugee rights. This year, we’re uniting up for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers facing growing persecution, displacement, and barriers to protection around the world.

Together, we’ll create the signs, shirts, buttons, and materials that will carry that message into Pride. We'll provide the silk screening materials and designs!

Come make something that matters.

[Image description: Stylized graphic of people gathered around a table screen printing with paints, screens, and stencils. Below that, in a black box is a logo with text "Defend [pink triangle] Refugees". Followed by text "Print. March. Defend. Friday, June 19, 2 to 5 p.m. The 519, drop in."]

Address

519 Church Street
Toronto, ON
M4Y2C9

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 5:30pm
Sunday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+14163926874

Website

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