#1Plan your

day

#2Visit

Family Pride

#3Bring

water and food

#4Protect against

sun

#5Leave the stroller at

home

NAVIGATING TORONTO PRIDE Tips for and by parents, grandparents and caregivers.2010 EDITION

Enjoy being with your family, enjoy this new experience and the wonders it brings.

Consider making Pride an annual celebration for your family, giving your child(ren) a time

for all-out fun.

Tip 1Plan out your Pride, for you and your family.

Don’t feel pressured to do everything. Choose activities that are appropriate for your family. Make time to enjoy yourself and your child(ren). Pride can be overwhelming for children and having to juggle many events can tire out and stress the happiest of families. Use the Pride Guide to plan your day.

Tip 2Have a home base at the Family Pride area.Family Pride not only offers fun activities but also a place to relax and re-energize from the exciting festivities of Pride. There are washrooms, shade, a place to sit and, if needed, a place to change diapers. A happy baby makes a happy Pride. Family Pride is conveniently located at Church Street Public School on the southeast corner of Church and Alexander Streets.

Tip 3Bring water and food for you and your family.It is important to keep your family healthy by keeping them well nourished and hydrated. Preparing a frozen water bottle can keep both food and children cool on what can be a “hot” weekend. Vendors may not have what your child likes so bring some of your family’s favorite food.

Tip 4Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen, sun glasses, hats and other appropriate attire.

There is nothing as cool as a festive family. Consider matching sunglasses and sun hats. Also, travel as lightly as you can to help beat the heat.

Tip 5Consider leaving strollers at home.

Pride is crowded and moving a stroller amongst the crowd can be extremely difficult. Using a sling or back/front carrier can help you and your infant move more easily through the crowds. If you are unable to leave your stroller at home, add a bike flag. Some people are not attentive or stroller-friendly.

Other Suggestions:Take public transit. Not only is it eco-friendly, but parking can be hard to find.

Saturday and Sunday morning as well as all-day Friday are the least crowded times to enjoy with the kids.

Consider having extended family members, a friend or a babysitter with you to watch the kids. You may want to enjoy some of the “adult” parts of Pride.

Be ready for talks with your kids. Pride brings all sorts of surprises like “why isn’t that man wearing pants.”

Keep your family close, hold hands, do what you need to protect your kids. It can be easy to get lost amongst the crowd.

For women, discover the family friendly section of the beer garden behind The 519 – a less crowded cool off zone.

Bring a camera, capture the memories, capture the smiles.

Bring a blanket or towel as emergency seating.

If you have other friends with families go as a group. Not only can it be more fun, but you can take turns handling responsibilities. Everyone needs time for themselves.

Before the event talk to other families or friends who have experienced Pride. Ask them for their advice.

The LGBTQ Parenting Connection

The LGBTQ Parenting Connection is a network of agencies and organizations that provide information, resources and support to LGBTQ-led families and work to create healthy and informed communities within which LGBTQ-led families can thrive. The Connection was founded by Sherbourne Health Centre, The 519 Church Street Community Centre and Family Service Toronto.

www.LGBTQParentingConnection.ca

The Family Pride Committee - Pride Toronto

Since 2000, Family Pride has offered family-oriented festivities which have become a staple of the ever-evolving Pride Week. The Family Pride Committee plans various inclusive, family-friendly activities and events and offers a home base for visitors who would like to enjoy Pride Week with their families.

www.pridetoronto.com/festival/family

For a downloadable electronic copy of this guide, visit www.LGBTQParentingConnection.ca

THIS BOOKLET WAS PRODUCED BY:

LGBTQ

ConnectionParenting