After 9 years at Architech, I can confidently say this: when we celebrate, we go all in. And when it comes to Pride? We don’t just raise a flag or post a rainbow logo once a year. We roll up our sleeves, get our hands (and shirts) dirty, and show up with our whole hearts.
Because at Architech, Pride isn’t a moment—it’s a mindset.
When your team’s full of big hearts and brilliant humans, Pride doesn’t need a spotlight — it shines all on its own.
Real Pride, Real People, Real Action
This year, our Rainbow Committee ERG absolutely outdid themselves. From education and advocacy to sparkles and swag, our Pride 2025 programming was as vibrant and inclusive as the people behind it.
We kicked things off with a custom-curated Pride Month Book Club, offering up a lineup of queer reads for every kind of reader. And it wasn’t just for the grown-ups—our Kids Book Club delivered age-appropriate, inclusive books to the children of Architech families as well, helping us nurture empathy, understanding, and celebration across generations. Whether folks read solo, joined the discussion, or led the session themselves, the energy was all about amplifying queer voices and stories.
Next up? The dye-lightful Virtual Tie-Dye Party. We each received a blank Architech tee and a tie-dye kit in the mail, then jumped on a virtual call across Canada, cranked the colour, and got to work. Kids, cats, coworkers—everyone got involved to make our own unique designs.
💡 And here’s something we’re especially proud of: 16% of our team at Architech identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. That’s well above industry averages — but what really matters is that people feel safe enough to share that here. Representation matters. But feeling seen, supported, and celebrated? That’s the goal.
And we didn’t stop at shirts. We wore those masterpieces to our Volunteer Day with The 519, a local agency supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Toronto. True to Pride season unpredictability, we even braved a torrential downpour on our way there.
We arrived—damp but determined—at The 519, a City of Toronto agency dedicated to the health, happiness, and full participation of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Through a powerful model of Service, Space, and Leadership, The 519 has been making a tangible difference in Toronto for decades. They provide essential programming—like crisis support, refugee and newcomer assistance, trans advocacy, legal help, and free community meals—while also creating safe, affirming, and joyful spaces for all.
Our team of 16 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help The 519 gear up for their biggest fundraiser of the year: the Green Space Festival. It's more than a party—it's a critical fundraiser that powers The 519’s work year-round. From organizing and sorting to setup and signage, we were there to lend a hand and show our support for this incredible organization.
We also made a donation to support their year-round programming, which includes housing support, trans advocacy, newcomer services, and more.
The 519 isn’t new to us. Over the years, we’ve partnered with them for workshops, training, and donations. But this year felt especially vibrant. Maybe it was the tie-dye. Maybe it was the weather. But more than anything, it was the energy of our team showing up with authenticity, joy, and genuine allyship.
Why Pride Matters
Even in 2025, Pride is both a celebration and a protest. Queer and trans communities continue to face discrimination, exclusion, and violence. Stats don’t lie:
- 72% of trans youth in Canada report experiencing discrimination.
- 62% of 2SLGBTQ+ employees are not fully out at work.
- Hate crimes targeting sexual orientation remain among the most violent.
At Architech, we believe inclusion isn’t a nice-to-have - it’s a must. And our commitment to building a better future means supporting our 2SLGBTQ+ teammates, customers, and communities with intention, action, and heart.
That’s why Pride at Architech is never just a checkbox. Over the past several years, we’ve:
- Hosted Drag Queen Story Time for kids (and enthusiastic adults!)
- Run Lunch & Learns on queer history, creativity, and mental health
- Drag Bingo for our Holiday Party
- Raised funds for Rainbow Railroad, Lambda Warszawa, and many more
- Launched the Pride Passport adventure — a month-long activity where team members earned “stamps” for completing small but meaningful actions, from showing up at local Pride events, supporting 2SLGBTQ+ charities, updating pronouns, and brushing up on allyship education
- Partnered with Pride at Work Canada and sponsored our Research Lead, Meg, to participate in their Thrive Leadership Program
- Organized book clubs, virtual bingo nights, and social events across Canada and Poland
- Centred education, celebration, and belongingness in everything we do
One of our most beloved events? The ✨gAyMA✨—our take on an AMA (Ask Me Anything)—hosted by the Rainbow Committee on International Coming Out Day. It was a judgement-free zone where teammates could ask honest questions about the queer experience. The turnout and engagement were incredible (we ran out of time for questions!), and we shared some key reminders, like:
- 🚫 Never out someone—ever.
- 🤝 Be visibly supportive. Wear the swag. Post the Pride pics. Normalize allyship.
- 👪 For parents: Start young. Teach acceptance early. And grab a book! We shared some favourites from our Kids Book Club, like Julian Is A Mermaid, It Feels Good to Be Yourself, and My Shadow is Purple.
The gAyMA wasn’t a starting point—it was part of a broader journey of education, reflection, and care that we’ve been on for years.
A Rainbow That Lasts All Year
Here’s what I love most about our team: we don’t save our inclusion for June. Whether it’s offering pronoun support in email signatures, building inclusive policies, supporting ERGs, or just listening to one another—our people care.
They show up. They ask questions. They celebrate each other. And they build a workplace where queer folks don’t just feel tolerated, or even accepted. We feel celebrated.
To everyone who planned, participated, read, dyed, volunteered, donated, learned, or just cheered us on: thank you. You’re what makes this place so special.❤️
Want to support the incredible work being done at The 519? Learn more or donate here.
Inspired by what you see and want to work with these amazing humans? We’re hiring! If you want to roll up your rainbow sleeves, do meaningful work, and have fun while you're at it—come build a better future with us. Check out our open roles here!
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