The Regional Municipality of York Region

Our regional government has granted official recognition of our Pride Week every year, starting with the region's first Pride Week in 2001.

In 2019, regional council has formally recognized June 7 to 16 as York Region Pride Week.

Each year we are actively working to extend our reach across our region.

1Town of Georgina

Pride Week has been proclaimed by the Town of Georgina each year since proclamations were first requested in 2002.

The rainbow flag has also been flown at the Georgina Civic Centre during each Pride Week since 2010.

Since 2015, at the start of each Pride Week, the Town has hosted an official flag-raising ceremony attended by the mayor and members of council as well as community members. And, in 2017 and 2018 the Towns of Georgina and East Gwillimbury jointly agreed to fly the flag on each of the four traffic islands at the Woodbine Ave and Ravenshoe Road intersection.

This year, the Town has again proclaimed our Pride Week and will be hosting an official flag-raising ceremony at the Georgina Civic Centre on Wednesday 12th June at 8.30am.

2Town of East Gwillimbury

Pride Week was proclaimed by the Town of East Gwillimbury each year from 2002 until 2013. Additionally, the rainbow flag was flown at the Civic Centre in Sharon during our 2013 Pride Week.

But, in 2014, council introduced a policy ceasing all proclamations and flag-raisings.

However, in 2017 and 2018 the Towns of Georgina and East Gwillimbury jointly agreed to fly the flag on each of the four traffic islands at the Woodbine Ave and Ravenshoe Road intersection.

We have requested the raising of the flag again at this intersection and presently await the Town's consideration of our request.

3Town of Newmarket

Pride Week has been proclaimed by the Town of Newmarket each year since proclamations were first requested in 2002.

The Town also flew the rainbow flag in Peace Park on Cane Parkway every Pride Week from 2009 until 2014, but subsequently ceased all flag-raisings.

For the third successive year, Main Street Newmaket and Riverwalk Commons will be home to our Pride Parade and Pride on Riverwalk signature events on June 15th.

4Township of King

Pride Week was proclaimed by the Township of King in 2002 and 2003.

But, in 2004, council introduced a policy ceasing all proclamations.

The raising of the rainbow flag has been requested each year since 2009, but the request has never been granted. Consequently the flag has never flown in the Township of King - except when raised occasionally by Seneca at their King campus.

5Town of Aurora

Pride Week has been proclaimed by the Town of Aurora each year since proclamations were first requested in 2002.

The rainbow flag has also been flown at Aurora Town Hall during each Pride Week since 2010.

Since 2015, at the start of each Pride Week, the Town has hosted an official flag-raising ceremony attended by the mayor and members of council as well as community members.

The Town has approved our request for a proclamation and flag-raising. We are in the process of organizing a flag-raising ceremony at Aurora Town Hall.

In addition, since 2015, York Regional Police have raised the rainbow flag at their Aurora headquarters each year on June 1st. They will be doing so again in 2019 on June 4th at 9am, and will be hosting the 'We Belong' pride breakfast event on the same morning.

6Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

Pride Week was proclaimed by the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville each year from 2002 until 2017.

But, in 2018, council has introduced a policy ceasing all proclamations.

The raising of the rainbow flag has been requested each year since 2009, but the request has never been granted. Consequently the flag has never flown in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.

7City of Richmond Hill

Pride Week has been proclaimed by the City of Richmond Hill each year since proclamations were first requested in 2002.

The rainbow flag has also been flown at Richmond Hill Civic Centre during each Pride Week since 2011. In that year it was the first municipality to host an official flag-raising ceremony attended by the mayor and members of council as well as community members. It has continued to host these events in subsequent years.

Richmond Hill was also home to the York Region Annual Pride Parade and signature park event between 2013 and 2016.

The City has approved our request for a proclamation and flag-raising. We are in the process of organizing a flag-raising ceremony at Richmond Hill Town Hall.

8City of Vaughan

Pride Week has been proclaimed by the City of Vaughan each year since 2003.

The rainbow flag has also been flown at Vaughan Civic Centre during each Pride Week since 2009.

Since 2016, at the start of each Pride Week, the City has hosted an official flag-raising ceremony attended by the mayor and members of council as well as community members.

The City has approved our request for a proclamation and will be hosting a flag-raising ceremony at Vaughan Civic Centre on Tuesday, June 11th at 12pm.

9City of Markham

Pride Week has been proclaimed by the City of Markham each year since proclamations were first requested in 2002.

The rainbow flag has also been flown at Markham Civic Centre during each Pride Week since 2009.

Starting in 2013, the City has hosted an official flag-raising ceremony attended by the mayor and members of council as well as community members.

The City has approved our request for a proclamation and will be hosting a rainbow flag-raising ceremony at Markham Civic Centre on Monday, June 10th at 9am.