June was International Pride Month, a time to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community and to recognize the value of their contributions. It’s also a time to acknowledge the histories and oppression faced by 2SLGBTQ+ people as well as the progress that has been made along the way. And when Pride Month comes to an end, the learning, recognizing, and acknowledging shouldn’t stop there.
At FHR, we took a moment to mark Pride Month with a virtual “FHRiyay” trivia party, hosted by Toronto-based drag queen Halal Bae. What made the experience even better was the opportunity to learn more about queer issues and culture, which Halal brought to life through the questions.
We also marked Pride by sharing resources across the agency. To keep the learning going as we look forward to continued Pride celebrations across Canada this summer, our FHR team pulled together a list of some of the resources that were meaningful for us as we look to support and celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
To Read
WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE: A QUEER MUSLIM MEMOIR by Samra Habib
Recommended by Gemma Manangan, Copywriter
A book for anyone who’s felt misunderstood or alone, Samra Habib shares her personal journey navigating sexuality, religion, and culture in a world where Queerness doesn’t exist. It’s a beautiful coming out story of resilience, self-acceptance and forgiveness.
WHITE GIRLS by Hilton Als
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
A collection of essays by the culture critic (The New Yorker and The Village Voice) that won the Pulitzer Prize and explores the confluence of culture, race and gender.
“The cover of the book makes a promise: ‘this book will change you’. It’s a bold promise even for the finest piece of literature, but by the end of the page 3 you know you’re swimming in something brilliant. It’s not entirely accessible but it’s not meant to be – it skips the cerebral and aims straight at your gut, like most of the best art does.” – Yulia
HIGH SCHOOL by Tegan Quin & Sara Quin
Recommended by Gemma Manangan, Copywriter
The true coming-of-age story of Canadian musicians and 2SLGBTQ+ icons Tegan and Sara. Writing in alternating chapters from their own POV, the duo openly talk about drugs, alcohol, love, music and friendship in their formative years, all while grappling with their identity and sexuality.
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
An online project by CBC Arts, celebrating queer Canadian heroes on the Canadian arts & culture scene.
To Watch
Recommended by Scarlet Schmetter, Intern
This HBO-produced reality competition series focuses on exploring the world of Ball culture, featuring celebrity guest judges such as Megan Thee Stallion and Jameela Jamil. Part of the series is dedicated to telling the stories of the “house members” and what Ball culture means to them as 2SLGBTQ+ artists.
“Although set up as a dance competition show, Legendary is so much more than that. Putting the sub-culture of Ball on a national stage like this and highlighting the real stories of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ performers is truly a step in the right direction for entertainment.” – Scarlet
Recommended by Gemma Manangan, Copywriter
Set in Montreal in the early 90s, this is the story of a couple navigating their relationship and the pressures of society when Laurence begins transitioning to become a woman. Canadian director Xaviar Dolan expertly brings to life another queer story through raw, emotional storytelling and poetic visuals that stick with you long after the end credits.
Recommended by Stefan Weidauer, Senior Designer
A Canadian comedian living in London navigates sobriety and a new relationship with their girlfriend.
“It’s quirky, raw, the laughs are awkward, but you can’t help but root for this queer couple! Also, Lisa Kudrow plays an uptight mother that steals every scene.” – Stefan
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
A chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality.
“It’s both life-affirming and heartbreaking, and an interesting case study for ethics in documentary filmmaking.” – Yulia
POSE
Recommended by Stefan Weidauer, Senior Designer
Like Paris Is Burning, this scripted series offers an eye-opening look into the underground NYC ballroom scene during the 1980’s and the onset of the AIDS epidemic. It’s the first of its kind to feature the largest cast of transgender actors in a series and features the largest recurring cast of 2SLGBTQ+ actors ever for a scripted series.
“Start with Paris Is Burning, then watch this series. There’s a demand for better representation in the 2SLGBTQ+ stories that are told on screen, and this is one of the few instances where they got it right. Every scene is both a history lesson and television history in the making for the actors and the stories they’re telling.” – Stefan
To Listen
Recommended by Stefan Weidauer, Senior Designer
This Haitian-Canadian producer and DJ, hailing from Montreal, picked up two wins at the 2020 Grammys for best electronic/dance album (Bubba) and best dance recording (10%).
“Since dancefloors have been in short supply, I was able to catch one of his virtual shows during the pandemic – he instantly turned my living room into a dance party.” – Stefan
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
Hailing from Toronto, she’s an R&B singer and songwriter. “Her music sounds like something you’ve heard before but at the same time entirely fresh. Absolutely spectacular live. She’s about to release her debut LP.” –Yulia
Recommended by Stefan Weidauer, Senior Designer
She’s a Dubai-born Toronto resident of Indian descent, and is a DJ, singer, rapper, writer, producer and organizer of community events. She is the co-founder of INTERSESSIONS, a DJ workshop for femme, non-binary, and queer people. She’s also an activist who’s fighting to change gender disparity in the dance music industry.
“Her new single To Myself with DJ Genderfluid is the perfect track for a queer Hanlan’s beach party with friends.” – Stefan
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
Also known as Mike Hadreas, according to Yulia, “Perfume Genius wrote what might possibly be the best lyric of the 2010s – ‘No family is safe // when I sashay’. He’s also very good at Twitter.”
To Act
SHOP AT FLAMINGO MARKET
An online marketplace connecting shoppers to 2SLGBTQ+ Artists & Entrepreneurs across Canada and worldwide!
SHOP AT GLAD DAY BOOKSHOP
The first queer-focused Canadian bookstore, and the oldest queer bookstore worldwide. Serving the LGBTQ community since 1970, Glad Day Bookshop offers the widest possible selection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, and queer literature.
DONATE TO RAINBOW RAILROAD
A non-profit that helps 2SLGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence. For the last two years, FHR team members have donated to Rainbow Railroad during Pride Month and we’ve beat our donation goal two years running!
FIND AN ORGANIZATION NEAR YOU
There are so many great 2SLGBTQ+ charities and organizations to support across Canada. Find a cause that speaks to you through Canada Helps or Charity Village. If you’re in Toronto, check out this guide to Toronto-based 2SLGBTQ+ charities.
June was International Pride Month, a time to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community and to recognize the value of their contributions. It’s also a time to acknowledge the histories and oppression faced by 2SLGBTQ+ people as well as the progress that has been made along the way. And when Pride Month comes to an end, the learning, recognizing, and acknowledging shouldn’t stop there.
At FHR, we took a moment to mark Pride Month with a virtual “FHRiyay” trivia party, hosted by Toronto-based drag queen Halal Bae. What made the experience even better was the opportunity to learn more about queer issues and culture, which Halal brought to life through the questions.
We also marked Pride by sharing resources across the agency. To keep the learning going as we look forward to continued Pride celebrations across Canada this summer, our FHR team pulled together a list of some of the resources that were meaningful for us as we look to support and celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
To Read
WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE: A QUEER MUSLIM MEMOIR by Samra Habib
Recommended by Gemma Manangan, Copywriter
A book for anyone who’s felt misunderstood or alone, Samra Habib shares her personal journey navigating sexuality, religion, and culture in a world where Queerness doesn’t exist. It’s a beautiful coming out story of resilience, self-acceptance and forgiveness.
WHITE GIRLS by Hilton Als
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
A collection of essays by the culture critic (The New Yorker and The Village Voice) that won the Pulitzer Prize and explores the confluence of culture, race and gender.
“The cover of the book makes a promise: ‘this book will change you’. It’s a bold promise even for the finest piece of literature, but by the end of the page 3 you know you’re swimming in something brilliant. It’s not entirely accessible but it’s not meant to be – it skips the cerebral and aims straight at your gut, like most of the best art does.” – Yulia
HIGH SCHOOL by Tegan Quin & Sara Quin
Recommended by Gemma Manangan, Copywriter
The true coming-of-age story of Canadian musicians and 2SLGBTQ+ icons Tegan and Sara. Writing in alternating chapters from their own POV, the duo openly talk about drugs, alcohol, love, music and friendship in their formative years, all while grappling with their identity and sexuality.
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
An online project by CBC Arts, celebrating queer Canadian heroes on the Canadian arts & culture scene.
To Watch
Recommended by Scarlet Schmetter, Intern
This HBO-produced reality competition series focuses on exploring the world of Ball culture, featuring celebrity guest judges such as Megan Thee Stallion and Jameela Jamil. Part of the series is dedicated to telling the stories of the “house members” and what Ball culture means to them as 2SLGBTQ+ artists.
“Although set up as a dance competition show, Legendary is so much more than that. Putting the sub-culture of Ball on a national stage like this and highlighting the real stories of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ performers is truly a step in the right direction for entertainment.” – Scarlet
Recommended by Gemma Manangan, Copywriter
Set in Montreal in the early 90s, this is the story of a couple navigating their relationship and the pressures of society when Laurence begins transitioning to become a woman. Canadian director Xaviar Dolan expertly brings to life another queer story through raw, emotional storytelling and poetic visuals that stick with you long after the end credits.
Recommended by Stefan Weidauer, Senior Designer
A Canadian comedian living in London navigates sobriety and a new relationship with their girlfriend.
“It’s quirky, raw, the laughs are awkward, but you can’t help but root for this queer couple! Also, Lisa Kudrow plays an uptight mother that steals every scene.” – Stefan
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
A chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality.
“It’s both life-affirming and heartbreaking, and an interesting case study for ethics in documentary filmmaking.” – Yulia
POSE
Recommended by Stefan Weidauer, Senior Designer
Like Paris Is Burning, this scripted series offers an eye-opening look into the underground NYC ballroom scene during the 1980’s and the onset of the AIDS epidemic. It’s the first of its kind to feature the largest cast of transgender actors in a series and features the largest recurring cast of 2SLGBTQ+ actors ever for a scripted series.
“Start with Paris Is Burning, then watch this series. There’s a demand for better representation in the 2SLGBTQ+ stories that are told on screen, and this is one of the few instances where they got it right. Every scene is both a history lesson and television history in the making for the actors and the stories they’re telling.” – Stefan
To Listen
Recommended by Stefan Weidauer, Senior Designer
This Haitian-Canadian producer and DJ, hailing from Montreal, picked up two wins at the 2020 Grammys for best electronic/dance album (Bubba) and best dance recording (10%).
“Since dancefloors have been in short supply, I was able to catch one of his virtual shows during the pandemic – he instantly turned my living room into a dance party.” – Stefan
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
Hailing from Toronto, she’s an R&B singer and songwriter. “Her music sounds like something you’ve heard before but at the same time entirely fresh. Absolutely spectacular live. She’s about to release her debut LP.” –Yulia
Recommended by Stefan Weidauer, Senior Designer
She’s a Dubai-born Toronto resident of Indian descent, and is a DJ, singer, rapper, writer, producer and organizer of community events. She is the co-founder of INTERSESSIONS, a DJ workshop for femme, non-binary, and queer people. She’s also an activist who’s fighting to change gender disparity in the dance music industry.
“Her new single To Myself with DJ Genderfluid is the perfect track for a queer Hanlan’s beach party with friends.” – Stefan
Recommended by Yulia Balinova, Account Manager
Also known as Mike Hadreas, according to Yulia, “Perfume Genius wrote what might possibly be the best lyric of the 2010s – ‘No family is safe // when I sashay’. He’s also very good at Twitter.”
To Act
SHOP AT FLAMINGO MARKET
An online marketplace connecting shoppers to 2SLGBTQ+ Artists & Entrepreneurs across Canada and worldwide!
SHOP AT GLAD DAY BOOKSHOP
The first queer-focused Canadian bookstore, and the oldest queer bookstore worldwide. Serving the LGBTQ community since 1970, Glad Day Bookshop offers the widest possible selection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, and queer literature.
DONATE TO RAINBOW RAILROAD
A non-profit that helps 2SLGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence. For the last two years, FHR team members have donated to Rainbow Railroad during Pride Month and we’ve beat our donation goal two years running!
FIND AN ORGANIZATION NEAR YOU
There are so many great 2SLGBTQ+ charities and organizations to support across Canada. Find a cause that speaks to you through Canada Helps or Charity Village. If you’re in Toronto, check out this guide to Toronto-based 2SLGBTQ+ charities.
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