Four Local Pride Campaigns Giving Back This June
Spotlighting Canadian makers making a difference
Community is integral to the spirit of Pride, fostering unity, support and celebration of diversity. This year, four local Pride campaigns are giving back to their communities in creative ways by leveraging their creativity to spread joy and fundraise for the organizations that infinitely serve Toronto’s LGBTQ+ community—amplifying their impact during a time when many of them need it most. To honour the history of Pride, we felt it was important to shine a spotlight on some of the local campaign putting in the work.
Glad Day Bookshop print. From $15, at Jake Tobin.
When oldest queer bookstore in the world—which happens to reside right here in Toronto—was at risk of facing eviction, local illustrator Jake Tobin launched a fitting campaign. 100% of sales of Tobin’s Glad Day Bookshop print have been donated to the bookstore. Though the collection of prints sold faster than we could publish this article, a second stock is on the way for those interested in purchasing. Plus, 50% of Tobin’s complete Pride collection of work will be donated to Rainbow Railroad in a continued effort to empower the community at large.
The Rainbow cake. $4.99, at IKEA.
Currently, there are approximately 70 countries that have laws criminalizing same-sex relationships and in many others, LGBTQ+ people face violence in their communities, at their workplace and even in their own homes. Sometimes their only option is to flee. To support Rainbow Railroad’s mission in helping individuals who are forced to flee their homes relocate to Canada, IKEA has announced the launch of its Rainbow cake just in time for Pride—where from June 1 to July 31, 100% of sales generated from the new desert will be donated to the local charity.
2024 limited-edition Pride bottle of Rhubarb & Hibiscus Gin. $45.20 from Collective Arts. Photography by Kevin Chaves.
Collective Arts has collaborated with Toronto-based illustrator and visual artist, Roza Nozari, and the LCBO Good Partners program to release their 2024 limited-edition Pride bottle of Rhubarb & Hibiscus Gin. Nozari draws from her own identities and the communities she belongs to in her work and centres the stories of those often erased from our archives of mental health and wellness.
Proceeds from the sale of each bottle will be donated to the LGBT Youthline, a youth-led organization providing peer support and leadership opportunities to 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Ontario since 1994.
Hanlan’s candle. $52, at VIGYL.
There’s a lot of reasons to love this hallmark candle from local fragrance house VIGYL. Notes of Bergamot, coconut and pistachio, plus the candle features a stunning purple borosilicate glass vessel that’s perfect for repurposing. But during Pride month, $10 from each candle sold online will go directly to Rainbow Railroad.
