In anticipation of possible confrontations with anti-LGBTQ protesters at this weekend’s Pride parade, The 519 has prepared and is giving out “mobilization kits” to members of the public.

Thousands of people are expected to take part in Sunday’s festivities downtown Toronto, and organizers are taking extra steps to ensure festival revelers are safe and ready to face up to any hate groups or individuals if necessary.

The 519’s safety kits were distributed Thursday and more will be handed out Sunday morning at the Blockorama Stage near Wellesley subway station.

Each kit contains information about how to report a confrontation, a banner with messages of love, noisemakers and chants to respond with, as well as a branded bandana to help identify oneself.

“We wish people a happy and safe pride,” said Soofia Mahmood, the director of strategic communications and executive planning at The 519 in an email.

(The 519 Church Street Community Centre, is an agency of the City of Toronto government and a Canadian charitable, non-profit organization that operates a community centre in the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood.)

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She said a combination of recent attacks in the Gay Village as well as last week’s confrontations at Hamilton Pride event have especially increased the need to be extra vigilant.

“The overall rise of extreme views have certainly amplified the need for people to think about their safety in similar situations, and look out for themselves and for each other to stay safe” both during and after Pride events, she said.

Several individuals sustained minor injuries last Saturday when an altercation broke out between two groups at Hamilton Pride Parade that was taking place at Gage Park. Police said the members of the two groups were waving signs that displayed anti-LGBTQ messages. Hamilton mayor Fred Eisneberger tweeted he was disappointed in the events, and that “hate speech and acts of violence have no place” in his city.

In Toronto’s Gay Village earlier this month police arrested and charged pastor David Lynn with causing disturbance. Lynn, 39, had stormed the streets preaching pro-Christian messages in which he told passersby through a megaphone he was coming out as a Christian. Police said his actions attracted a “large hostile crowd.”

Speaking Friday at Allan Gardens, Pride Toronto executive director Olivia Nuamah said various measures have been taken to beef up security during the three-day festivities.

“I am worried about safety. We’re worried about safety every year,” she said, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces within the LGBTQ community.

“Really, every year, it is top of our mind … for some of the members of our community, who on a daily basis face attack, vitriol, verbal abuse, physical abuse and attacks … we want to say to them, for three days here, you know you will be kept safe.”

In a detailed guide, The 519 asked people who find themselves in the presence of a hate group during any Pride events not to put themselves in harm’s way, as some of these groups may “be physically violent.

“We encourage community members to refrain from engaging in any physical violence or dialogue with members of hate groups,” reads part of the memo released this week.

“Peacefully disrupt anti-LGBTQ2S rhetoric through amplified messages of affirmation for queer, trans and two-spirit communities! Use the noisemakers to drown out the hate! Use the signs and banners to block out hateful messaging! Watch out for each other!”

How about you?

Pride events:

Family Pride will kick things off Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the weekend’s celebrations at Church Street Junior Public School at 83 Alexander St. Now in its 19th year, the event celebrates “the strength and uniqueness of LGBTQ2+ families and children,” according to the 2019 Pride Toronto guide. Activities at the free event will include face painting, performances and crafts.

Drag Ball will be a highlight event Saturday with a large concert on the TD Main Stage at Yonge-Dundas Square starting 4 p.m. Breakout RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Brooke Lynn Hytes will headline the concert, with local talent performing throughout the evening until 11 p.m. Drag kings, burlesque artists and drag queens, including those that made it to the top three contestants on Drag Race Thailand, are expected to perform at the free event.

Carly Rae Jepsen is scheduled to perform Sunday during the parade, starting at 2 p.m. on the corner of Church St. and Bloor St. E.

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A full list of events is available with Pride Toronto.

Road closures:

Some roads in the city will be closed on Friday and Saturday for Pride, so make sure to hop on public transit for your weekend adventures!

On Saturday, the annual Pride and Remembrance Run will cause several closures in the area around Wellesley St. E. The TTC will also have minor disruptions on some surface routes in the area around that time.

Wellesley St. E. will be closed from Yonge St. to Jarvis St. from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Queen’s Park Cres. will be closed from Bloor St. W. to College St. from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wellesley will be closed from Yonge to Queen’s Park from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

On Sunday, for the Pride parade, road closures will be in effect starting from Rosedale Valley Rd. around 8 a.m. Rosedale Valley Rd. will be closed from Park Rd. to Bayview Ave.

At 12 p.m. for the parade:

Park Rd. will be closed from Rosedale Valley Rd. to Bloor St.

Church St. will be closed from Park Rd. to Hayden St.

Bloor St. E. will be closed from Yonge St. to Ted Rogers Way.

At 1 p.m.:

Bloor St. will be closed from Bay St. to Ted Rogers Way

Yonge St. will be closed from Bloor St. to Queen St.

Dundas St. will be closed from Bay St. to Church St.

Victoria St. will be closed from Dundas St. to Shuter St.

Transit:

After 11 p.m. on Saturday and all day Sunday, there will be no service on TTC’s Line 3 to Scarborough from Kennedy to McCowan stations due to repair work. During this time, shuttle buses will operate and Wheel-Trans service will be available for people requiring accessible service within the closure area.

On Saturday and Sunday, GO Transit will have reduced and slower service on the Lakeshore West line due to track maintenance. Trains will run hourly instead of every half hour. Trains will run about 10 minutes slower coming in and out of Toronto because of the maintenance work.

—with files from Patty Winsa