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A man stands in front of a wall of colourful photos. He holds his phone up to take a photograph of the wall.

Joy.Sorrow.Anger.Love.PRIDE.

This project is the first Toronto Pride exhibition launched in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the ArQuives.

An art exhibit. A large white wall set up in a warehouse is covered in dozens of colourful photographs. The floors are concrete and exposed pipes and ducts can be seen on the ceiling above.
JOY. SORROW. ANGER. LOVE. PRIDE exhibit, May 30, 2023. Nominee for the 2024 Heritage Toronto Public History Award. Courtesy of The Magenta Foundation.

JOY. SORROW. ANGER. LOVE. PRIDE exhibit, May 30, 2023. Nominee for the 2024 Heritage Toronto Public History Award. Courtesy of The Magenta Foundation.

A vintage photograph of a man standing outdoors in front of a table. He wears red pants and white t-shirt that reads "Canadian Gay Archives" in red text. A group of people setting up for an event can be seen behind him.
Vintage photograph included in JOY. SORROW. ANGER. LOVE. PRIDE exhibit, May 30, 2023. Nominee for the 2024 Heritage Toronto Public History Award. Image by Alan Miller. Courtesy of The Magenta Foundation.

Vintage photograph included in JOY. SORROW. ANGER. LOVE. PRIDE exhibit, May 30, 2023. Nominee for the 2024 Heritage Toronto Public History Award. Image by Alan Miller. Courtesy of The Magenta Foundation.

An art installation. Two temporary walls placed in front of windows have been covered in an assortment of photographs and text descriptions. One wall is painted bright pink and the sections of the wall with text are a vibrant purple.
JOY. SORROW. ANGER. LOVE. PRIDE exhibit installation, May 30, 2023. Nominee for the 2024 Heritage Toronto Public History Award. Courtesy of The Magenta Foundation.

JOY. SORROW. ANGER. LOVE. PRIDE exhibit installation, May 30, 2023. Nominee for the 2024 Heritage Toronto Public History Award. Courtesy of The Magenta Foundation.

Producer and Creator: MaryAnn Camilleri

Project Website 

Date of Release: May 30, 2023

“Joy.Sorrow.Anger.Love.PRIDE” is the first Toronto Pride publication and exhibition launched in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the ArQuives. Millions of people from all over the world have attended and supported Toronto Pride over the years, yet the historical significance of Toronto Pride in Canada’s social development has never been seen fully realized. From the spirited inception at Hanlan’s Point Beach in 1971 to the global phenomenon it is today, Toronto Pride has been a beacon of inclusivity and progress. 

The project in partnership with the ArQuives encompassed archival photographs, print media, and ephemera meticulously curated from the ArQuives, alongside contributions from a passionate public. This multifaceted endeavor kickstarted Pride Season by immersing visitors in the captivating evolution of Toronto Pride from its grassroots origins to its present-day grandeur. “Joy.Sorrow.Anger. Love.PRIDE” transcended a mere reflection on the past; it was a visionary initiative fueled by the Magenta Foundation. Through the Magenta Leadership Lab pilot program, the project championed Canadian scholars, unveiling inclusive histories that had long been overlooked.

“Joy.Sorrow.Anger.Love.PRIDE” engaged the public through a call for photos from 1970 to the present day, capturing the essence of Toronto Pride over its 40-year history. This initiative collected over 1500 photographs, with more than 400 displayed at the Collision Gallery on June 1, 2023. These submissions encapsulated the energy and significance of Pride for the Toronto community.

Additional Project Members:

Emerging Curators: Anqi Li, Lex Barrie, Melissa Bessie, Olivia Cerda, Peyton Keeler-Cox, Sadaf RezakhanKhajeh

Magenta Pilot Leadership Lab Researchers: Cole Anderson, Jade Nelson, Kalina Nedelcheva, Maria Kanellopoulos, Sarah Griffith, Shadio Hussein, Sophia Dime

Mentors: Gaëlle Morel, Heather Canlas Rigg, Rachel Boyle, Sol Legault

Community Partners:
2-Spirited People of the First Nations
AIDS Committee of Toronto
Black Lives Matter
Blackness Yes!
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Casey House
Pride and Remembrance Foundation
Pride Toronto
QuAIA
Salaam Canada
Toronto Pflag
XTRA Magazine

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