Pride Toronto

Celebrate Toronto's First-Ever Global Black Pride

Published: July 11, 2022

Toronto has many reasons to celebrate as the site of the first-ever in-person Global Black Pride! Founded in 2020, Global Black Pride (GBP) is the first global Pride event to bring together Black LGBTQI communities from around the world. Celebrating Black culture and diversity this summer in partnership with Pride Toronto and Blackness Yes!, UP Express welcomes Black LGBTQI communities from across the globe to Toronto from July 27 to 31.
As one of Pride Toronto and Global Black Pride’s partners, Metrolinx is proud to welcome international visitors by providing safe, inclusive, and convenient service via UP Express to move you from Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto’s Union Station in just 25 minutes. Adult one-way ticket is only $12.35 which can be easily purchased online.

Welcome To Global Black Pride

Grand parade

Global Black Pride began as a virtual event in 2020 to recognize Black contributions to the past, present and future of the global Black LGBTQI movement with seven million viewers joining in from around the world.
Now, Toronto is the lucky city that gets to host the first-ever in-person GBP event, providing a safe space for activists and community-based organizations across the globe to engage, reflect, and – of course – celebrate! This year’s big event will not only embrace the global community, but will shine a spotlight on Toronto’s queer Black community’s history and liveliness.

Toronto Global Black Pride Highlights

King And Queen Costume Showcase

Presented in a hybrid format with in-person and digital performances, workshops, a human rights conference, and parade, this July will be one of the most exciting times to visit Toronto! In 2022, Global Black Pride will coincide with the 55th anniversary of Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival Festival (formerly known as Caribana) and Canada’s Emancipation Day, giving you plenty of opportunities to celebrate.
Kicking off July 27, Toronto’s Black community leaders will hold an opening ceremony, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grosvenor St. YMCA Central with Toronto Mayor John Tory and City Councillors. Paying homage to its grassroots political foundation, GBP will hold a Human Rights Conference at the Courtyard Marriott on Yonge St. on July 28 featuring human rights defenders and activists from across the globe to respond to the violence, discrimination, and exclusion that have harmed Black people and people of color who identify as LGBTQI.
The Marketplace and Global Village on July 29 offers something for everyone. At the Global Village, Black LGBTQI communities from around the world gather to discuss the most-pressing healthcare issues they face, and connect with speakers and performers. A shopper’s paradise, the Marketplace is the place to explore Black queer artists, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs. Come by at the Courtyard Marriott on Yonge St. between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. engage with the community and shop with Pride!

Get Your Party On In Toronto

Steel pan

Enjoy a Toronto night out on July 28 to 30! Visit and network with local Toronto Black-owned spaces with activities, events, social experiences and other festivities.
On July 31, Stackt Market at the corner of Bathurst St. and Front St. W. will host GBP’s closing ceremony events including Black Queer Brunch and the weekend’s big party, Blockobana. Organized by Toronto collective Blackness Yes!, Blockobana gets the party going with a day of music and arts where LGBTQI African, Black and Caribbean people celebrate cultures free from homophobia, transphobia, and anti-Black racism.

Explore More Of Toronto During Global Black Pride

Pride Toronto

Make the most out of your visit to Toronto and head to the city’s Little Jamaica neighbourhood for great bites, drinks, and shopping. One bus ride from UP Express Weston Station, this colourful community is Toronto’s Caribbean cultural hub, born out of the wave of West Indian immigrants who flocked to the area.
All are welcome at Toronto’s Gay Village centred at Church Street and Wellesley Street, a pleasant 3km stroll from UP Express Union Station or GO Transit, or one-stop ride on TTC subway from Union Station. Head here for more restaurants, performance venues, clubs, shops and more catering to the LGBTQI community and allies.
Plus, don’t forget to check out the Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s showstopping Grand Parade on July 30. Celebrating its 55th year, the parade was first held in Canada by the Caribbean community during Canada’s centennial celebrations and remains one of the largest carnivals in the world. Offering a spectacular display of costumes, music, and culture, this is one parade in downtown Toronto you won’t want to miss!

Caribbean Carnival Festival

No matter what your plans look like, Metrolinx is honoured to be a part of your Global Black Pride journey. Featuring safe, inclusive and convenient service, UP Express moves you from downtown Toronto’s Union Station to Pearson Airport in 25 minutes, with trains running every 15-minutes. Power outlets, seat trays, roomy luggage racks, overhead storage on board, and welcoming staff await you on board UP Express so you can start and end your next Toronto trip with ease.