The 519’s Back-to-School Bash; Giving LGBTQ+ students a sense of community

BY RUSHAN FERRON

On Sunday August 25^th, 2024, Barbara Hall Park in Toronto will come alive with buzzing excitement as more than 1,200 students and their families are expected to gather for The 519’s annual Back-to-School Bash. The event, now in its eighth year, is dedicated to supporting 2SLGBTQ+ students by providing school supplies and giving them a vibrant sense of community.

The Back-to-School Bash has grown into a staple event for The 519, a leading LGBTQ+ community centre in Toronto. The idea of what began as a small initiative has blossomed into a large-scale event, attracting families from across the city. The event’s continued success reflects a deep commitment by The 519 to ensuring 2SLGBTQ+ students feel supported and empowered as they head back to school.

According to Andrew Greaves, Manager of Community Programs and Services at The 519, “2SLGBTQ+ students experience isolation and discrimination, and The 519’s Army of Lovers is here to show them that they are not alone. Education is a powerful vehicle for social change and plays a significant role in improving the quality of life for queer students.” He continued: “We conducted a survey earlier this year to determine community needs and essential resources to have a great school year. This [Back-to-School Bash] committee has worked with our Philanthropy team to seek sponsorships and partners to support the financial success of the event and for the past few months, we’ve been reaching out to communities all over the city to raise awareness and invite them to the park.”

As a community centre and City of Toronto agency, The 519 prides itself in being a very diverse organization and inclusivity is at the heart of The 519’s mission. To that extent, The 519 has hosted information sessions for community members to understand what harassment is and how to report harassment. It has also posted signage in its building and websites making it clear that it does not tolerate any form of disrespect, harassment, and discrimination.

The event will include entertaining activities such as: a performance by the Rainbow Circus, face painting, arts and crafts, and workshops on supporting queer youth. One of the most anticipated activities of the event will be the backpack giveaway, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last.

There will also be free haircuts, courtesy of the Royal School of Hairdressing and Barbering to ensure students return to school feeling confident. The 519 plans to sustain and expand the event in the coming years by involving community members in the planning process and maintaining strong partnerships with sponsors. “Every year, we aim to make this event bigger and better. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels supported and ready to take on the school year, no matter what challenges they may face,” said Greaves.

Financing such a large-scale event required significant effort. However, they are able to do it, thanks to the generous support of corporate sponsors like: Tangerine Bank, Colgate, and Taslan Security, as well as community partners such as: ASAAP (Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention), Malvern Family Resource Centre, LGBT Youthline, CultureLink Settlement and Community Services, and Toronto Metropolitan University.

The 519’s Back-to-School Bash serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. As students head back to school, they do so with the knowledge that they are part of a loving and supportive community ready to stand by them every step of the way.