As Toronto hosts a major international soccer tournament, Annie Hart is on a mission to help ensure everyone, including 2SLGBTQ+ fans, have a place to take in a game.
"Everyone should be able to watch a soccer game without being worried about being harassed,” said Hart, chair of Pride House Toronto, a volunteer-run organization that creates 2SLGBTQ+-friendly spaces open to all where fans can gather together to watch sports.
From June 11 to July 19, the organization will use the George Brown Polytechnic's Waterfront Campus as a viewing venue for all soccer fans, including the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies.
"What we've learned in planning this is that Toronto has a huge queer sports culture," Hart said.
"We're members of Pride House International, which creates spaces like this all over the world. It's a completely grassroots project. We do this because we believe in inclusion – especially queer inclusion – in sports."
A month of pride
The month of June in Toronto — and many other cities across the world — spotlights the history and culture of 2SLGBTQ+ people. Pride Toronto, Canada's largest Pride festival and the second largest in the world, includes live music, Drag shows, food and drinks, and other performances. The festival weekend takes place in and around the Church-Wellesley village from June 25 to 28.
At Pride House Toronto, there will be matches on a big screen, programming that highlights local soccer culture, and food and drinks available for purchase.
"It's a gorgeous, open, friendly space," Hart said. "It's close to transit and it's a fully accessible building."
People of all ages, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome to visit Pride House Toronto, which received funding from TD to create a community space where people can gather and celebrate their love of soccer.
All for one and sports for all
Hart organizes Pride House Toronto in her spare time, which isn't exactly plentiful. She works a day job as a graphic designer and has a side hustle with her partner making banners for fan groups who attend soccer events across Canada.
"I am a soccer supporter, which means I like to yell and paint banners," Hart adds.
Hart calls both her side business and her apartment The Banner Factory. She's passionate about fans getting access to spaces where they feel welcome.
It's not that the typical places fans go to watch games — like a stadium or a sports bar — are always openly hostile to queer people, Hart said.
"But sometimes it's still not comfortable," she said. "It doesn't always feel like you can relax and you might still have your guard up."
While the Pride House for the Toronto soccer tournament is large, Pride Houses can be set up anywhere they're needed or wanted, Hart said.
"It can be as small as a table in a pub, and as large as what we're doing here for the soccer tournament," she said.
"But we're not asking permission to politely be in a space that we're already in. My message to fans is that queer people have always been here, cheering next to you, for the same team."
A longstanding dedication to the 2SLGBTQ+ community
"At TD, we're proud to support organizations like Pride House Toronto to help create spaces where the 2SLGBTQ+ community feels welcomed and included," said Rachel Lancaster, Senior Group Manager, Brand and Corporate Citizenship Marketing, at TD.
"The Bank has funded organizations that have supported 2SLGBTQ+ initiatives for over 30 years.
During Pride Month and throughout the year, TD supports community-led programs that create spaces where people can connect, access health and social support, find stability, and feel free to show up as their authentic selves.
“The community spirit behind Pride Houses speaks to my heart. I feel privileged to be able to advocate for this initiative and to see it come to life," she said.