Pride apologizes to Black Lives Matter Toronto

After months of meetings, two public town halls and roundtable discussions, the Pride Toronto board of directors released a statement apologizing to Black Lives Matter Toronto and outlining its next steps after the fall out from this year's festival and Pride Parade.

"Pride Toronto wants to begin by apologizing emphatically and unreservedly for its role in deepening the divisions in our community, for a history of anti-blackness and repeated marginalization of the marginalized within our community that our organization has continued," reads the statement.

"Pride Toronto regrets the way Black Lives Matter - Toronto Coalition's (BLMTO) protest was handled by our organization and the statements made following the Parade that did not represent our organization. We apologize that the lack of decisive decision-making has left many in our communities feeling attacked."

In the statement, the board of directors recognizes that the organization has a ways to go in terms of making all people - regardless of their race or gender - feel welcome and comfortable at Pride events. The note also touches on the sit-in at the Pride Parade.

"Pride Toronto remains committed to all of the demands agreed to and presented by BLMTO, Blackness Yes, Black Queer Youth, and others. We remain committed to demonstrating progress on each and every item and, as agreed, working with these groups to hold a public town hall this Winter to demonstrate progress and plans to deliver on these commitments."

In regards to the demand related to banning police from marching in the Parade, Pride says it'll use its Dispute Resolution Process to come up with a solution.

You can read Pride Toronto's full statement here.

Photo by Hector Vasquez.