On Thursday, Canada Post launched a new commemorative stamp in celebration of The 519, a significant 2SLGBTQ+ community hub located in Toronto. This unveiling is part of The 519's 50th anniversary and highlights the organization's critical role in supporting queer and transgender individuals in the region.
The 519 is a community centre and charitable organization situated in the historic Church-Wellesley Village of Toronto. Annually, it provides essential services to thousands within the 2SLGBTQ+ community, including free meals, legal support, and housing assistance. This centre holds the distinction of being the first City-funded and community-controlled community centre in Toronto, underscoring its pivotal role within the city.
The newly issued stamp is one of four commemorative stamps in Canada Post's final collection of the Places of Pride stamp series. This series aims to encapsulate key milestones in the history of the 2SLGBTQ+ rights movement across Canada. The introduction of The 519 stamp not only honors the organization’s legacy but also emphasizes the ongoing journey toward inclusivity and equity for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
The stamp series features several other important sites that contributed to the advancement of 2SLGBTQ+ rights. These include Little Sister's Book and Art Emporium, a notable Vancouver bookstore involved in a landmark case for protecting 2SLGBTQ+ rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Another highlighted site is Metamorphosis, a festival in Saskatoon recognized as the first celebration of queer culture in Western Canada. Lastly, The Turret in Halifax is acknowledged for its role as a crucial gathering space for social, political, and cultural activities from 1976 to 1982.
The stamps were designed by Kelly Small of Intents & Purposes Inc., illustrated by Tim Singleton, and printed by Lowe-Martin. The unveiling event took place at The 519, attracting notable attendees such as Evan Soloman and Kristyn Wong-Tam, who serve as the Member of Parliament and Member of Provincial Parliament for Toronto Centre, respectively.
Tim Singleton, the queer artist responsible for the stamp’s illustrations, previously created a commemorative stamp for Canada Post in 2025 that celebrated Hanlan's Point beach, another important location for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Toronto. The collaboration on this stamp series exemplifies continued recognition and support for the diverse narratives woven into Canada’s history of 2SLGBTQ+ rights advocacy.
