Finding Pride and a new family

After fleeing persecution abroad, many seek refuge in the GTA's LGBTQ community

- NICHOLAS KEUNG

Lylie Ouko, who fled persecution as a lesbian in Kenya and was granted asylum in Canada in May, is volunteering for Pride Toronto for a second year in a row.

Fresh off a flight for asylum in Canada, Lylie Ouko was staying in a refugee shelter when she saw a recruitment flyer for volunteers at Pride Toronto.

Not knowing a soul in the city, she mustered enough courage to sign up for a training workshop and offer her service at the annual festival to celebrate the diverse LGBTQ+ community in Greater Toronto.

“It was a mixture of excitement, anxiety and nervousness because I didn’t know what to expect,” recalled the 34-year-old woman, who fled persecution as a lesbian in Kenya and arrived in Canada in May 2023 for protection.

“There’s a cultural shock because this is not something you’re allowed to do back home. You have to keep your sexuality a secret. Then you see people here embracing each other and celebrating freely.”

Not only did she overcome her initial trepidation in staffing a donation booth and helping those with mobility issues at Senior Pride, but she also found a new LGBTQ family that she would never have imagined in her home country.

While Pride Toronto has always strived to be welcoming and inclusive, organizers have seen more and more LGBTQ newcomers and particularly refugees volunteering at their events. As many as 500 of the 1,760 volunteers registered this year for the month-long celebrations are believed to be recent arrivals, many from Nigeria and East African countries.

“We started to see this change in the demographic of our volunteers last year, but it’s really showing up full force this year,” said Freya Selander, Pride Toronto’s education and volunteer manager.

“We’re seeing volunteers who have never been able to celebrate their identities and have always lived in fear. And they’re able to come here and fully celebrate who they are.”