Pumpkin Faerie Parade

Saturday, October 31, 1987
The Concert Hall

Throughout the 1980s, funding for LGBTQ2+ endeavours, groups, and services came almost exclusively from within the community. The GCDC was a major force in Toronto-based fundraising for LGBTQ2+ causes throughout the decade. 

In addition to the support that they offered participating groups, GCDC had a “Special Events Fund” from which gay and lesbian community groups could apply for an interest-free loan to fund a specific project or event. For example, in May 1986, GCDC organisers approved a $1,500 advance for Buddies in Bad Times Theatre to produce a performance piece for Pride entitled “Back Alley.” Organizers also approved a $800 loan to Lesbian and Gay Youth (LGYT) to support their “Fruits of Passion” dance. 

The GCDC was not alone in their fundraising efforts. The Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal (originally known as Gay Community Appeal), a long-time GCDC participating group, also received funding from the incredibly popular variety show Fruit Cocktail. Fruit Cocktail, which ran from 1983-1995, was regularly performed for capacity audiences at what was previously known as the Ryerson Theatre. DQ, a drag performance revue launched by Sacha MacKenzie in 1986, ran for twenty years and ultimately raised over $1,000,000 to support and sustain Casey House, a hospital dedicated to caring for people living with HIV/AIDS.