PinkDot TO is a non-profit movement originating in Singapore by a group of individuals who care deeply and support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love. While we are fortunate to have marriage equality in Toronto, LGBTQ+ Asians in Toronto still face many challenges. Queer Asians are often under-represented or sometimes seem non-existent in the Asian and LGBTQ+ communities. With little visibility, it is harder to know where there are safe spaces for queer Asians. We also invite straight allies to show that there is support and love in our community for queer Asians who are still trying to find a place where they feel comfortable to be themselves.
In an effort to break the community silence and to showcase family support for Asian LGBTQs, #PinkDotTO will bring together queer Asians and their allies to wear pink and march through downtown Toronto to show love and support for Asian LGBTQs. #PinkDotTO is about actively creating a much-needed community space where queer Asians can feel comfortable to be themselves, increase visibility of their existence, and garner support from the broader community. The event is open to all—gay, bi, queer, trans, straight and allies—those who believe that everyone deserves the freedom to love.
Pink Dot is a movement started in 2009, in support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ) community in Singapore. Attendees of the Pink Dot events gather to form a giant pink dot in a show of support for inclusiveness, diversity and the freedom to love. Pink Dot has inspired many around the world to show their support and love for LGBTQ communities. International Pink Dot events have been held in Anchorage, Hong Kong, London, Montreal, New York, Oklahama, Penang, Kaoshiung, Utah. The first PinkDotTO, held in the format of a LGBTQ + Allies Chinatown Pride March, was held on May 24, 2014 in Toronto during Asian Heritage Month as a lead up to the World Pride Human Rights Conference and World Pride 2014.
This year on Saturday, May 13, 2017 ACAS (Asian Community AIDS Services) and the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter are pleased to present PinkDot Toronto . Starting at the Glad Day Bookshop, we will march from the Church-Wellesley Village to Chinatown to celebrate PinkdotTO’s 4th year and spread the message of love and acceptance!
This year our theme, “Love our Differences,” is about celebrating and recognizing the diversity that exists within Asian LGBT+ communities and the love that unites us together.
PinkdotTO is an event for everyone; straight, queer, and allies, who support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love.
PinkDot is a non-profit movement originating in Singapore by a group of individuals who care deeply and support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love. While we are fortunate to have marriage equality in Toronto, LGBTQ+ Asians in Toronto still face many challenges. Queer Asians are often underrepresented or sometimes seem non-existent in the Asian and LGBTQ+ communities. With little visibility, it is harder to know where there are safe spaces for queer Asians. We also invite straight allies to show that there is support and love in our community for queer Asians who are still trying to find a place where they feel safe to be themselves.
What exactly is Pink Dot? Is it what you cover up on your face with makeup? Is it what you try to clean out of your clothes after a highlighter explodes? Or is it those bits of strawberry in your ice cream? Actually, it’s a movement for equity for LGBTQIA+ folks that centers around Asian folks! It started in Singapore, then eventually spread around the world, and eventually to Toronto in 2014. We get to have our very own Pink Dot in T-Dot!
PinkDot TO is happening this May 11th from 3 pm to 6 pm at Cecil Community Centre (58 Cecil Street, Toronto, just south of College off Spadina Avenue). This 2019, we have designed the day to be an extra special indoor festival featuring fun family-friendly activities, spectacular performances from our LGBTQ+ members and Youth Talent Stage, an arts & crafts showcase, and an array of cool food vendors featuring popular Asian street food (snacks, desserts)! What’s more? A never-been-done fashion show segment is also scheduled from 730 pm to 930 pm.
Lot’s of door prizes to be won from our community partners!
Cutesy giveaways for all!So friends, families, and allies, come support your community and let us celebrate PinkDot TO on May 11!
Best of all, it is FREE event and open to all!
Toronto, ON – June 1, 2021 – On Sunday, June 20 at 3:00 p.m. ACAS is virtually hosting Pinkdot on Sunday, June 20, 2021, at 3:00 pm on the ACAS Youtube channel via live streaming, and this year will feature #StopAsianHate message to raise awareness within the Asian community and beyond. This event will be hosted by Vong Show and will feature performances, interviews, and various other formats, as well as supportive videos from special guests.
“The struggle of Asian communities is our collective struggle. ACAS calls with acute urgency for solidarity, unity, and unencumbered advocacy in support of all those affected by Asian hate. We call for a stop to the senseless violence against Asians, against elderly Asians, against Asian labourers, against Asian sex workers. In this spirit, we focus our PinkDot TO efforts on the important theme of #StopAsianHate.” said Lindsey Li ACAS Board Chair.
PinkDot TO this year will be a live virtual showcase on YouTube. Moreover, donations raised by this event will assist the Asian community. Before, during, and after the live streaming PinkDot TO, all donors can take the opportunity to support the event at ACAS Canadahelps.org. These donations will go towards the ACAS Asian LGBTQ+ and Support programs which assist Asian people who face discrimination.
In an effort to break the community silence and to showcase family support for Asian LGBTQ+ members, since 2014 PinkDot TO has been actively creating a much-needed community space where queer Asians can feel comfortable to be themselves, increase visibility of their existence, and garner support from the broader community. The event is open to all—gay, bi, queer, trans, straight and allies—those who believe that everyone deserves the freedom to love.
Ever since the pandemic started, the Asian community faced challenging circumstances. According to police department data compiled by California State University’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver were all in the top 4 North American cities for reported anti-Asian Hate Crimes in 2020. Vancouver reported more anti-Asian hate crimes than all of the other top 4 cities combined.
THINK PINK
