EVENT

November 14 @ 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm EST
We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you in style!

At the heart of the Gala are the CQCC Business Leadership Awards, recognizing outstanding leaders driving inclusion and innovation.
These awards hold great significance as they celebrate outstanding individuals and companies who have played a special role in driving economic growth within the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Canada. They honour those who have created positive change and fostered a thriving business environment.
The deadline for nominations was October 14, 2025.
The gala will take place on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
For general Gala inquiries, please send an email to events@cglcc.ca.
Celebrate 10 years of the Black & White Gala by positioning your brand at the centre of this milestone event. As a sponsor, you’ll connect with industry leaders, gain visibility with the 2SLGBTQI+ business community, and be part of an unforgettable evening.
Don’t miss the chance to mark this special anniversary with us—become a sponsor today!

Interested in Gala sponsorship opportunities?
Reach out to Sabrina Uwase, our Manager of Corporate Engagement.

Tafari Anthony (pronounced tah-far-eye) is a JUNO-nominated Pop singer-songwriter, producer, and performer based in Toronto.rnrnKnown for his soaring vocals, dynamic emotional range, and genre-blurring sound, Tafari creates music that puts queer love, identity and emotional honesty at the forefront. A respected collaborator, Tafari has written and produced for artists such as Tanika Charles, Priyanka, Katya, Samantha Martin u0026amp; Delta Sugar, BLUE WILL, and Nuela Charles among others. His solo work includes three celebrated EPs — Die for You (2016), Remember When (2017), and The Way You See Me (2020) — the latter earning a Juno nomination for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year in 2022. His debut full-length album When I Met Your Girlfriend (2023) received praise for its unapologetic storytelling and bold sonic palette. Tafari’s music has been featured in PAPER Magazine, Billboard, and on CBC’s list of 100 Essential Songs. His songs have also been placed in film and TV including, Kim’s Convince, Pretty Hard Cases, Erin’s Guide To Kissing Girls, u0026amp; more.rnrnHe also contributed to the all-star charity single “What I Wouldn’t Do” supporting youth mental health and the pride charity single u0022This Little Lightu0022 which featured queer artists from across Canada in support of The 519.

Queer Toronto Tarot was founded by Hanlon Uafás-Álainn who has been reading professionally since 2007. Queer Toronto Tarot has now expanded from Toronto to Nova Scotia, and continues to provide readings in-person and online or over the phone for people who are queer, straight, trans- or cis-gender wherever they may be in Canada or worldwide.rnrnEach of our readers has their own personal style and practice, while we all focus on using the tarot (and other approaches) to increase clarity and spiritual empowerment. QTTarot.com

Established in 2019, Naach For Fun is a dance organization that believes in community-building through the power of dance. From curating Wedding Choreography, to organizing Live Workshops at a city near you! From Group Workshops to Private ones, from learning new styles to improving your current ones, they do it all!rnrnTheir dancers have brought their popular Bollywood Reimagined routine, where they bring positive Queer South Asian representation through popular Bollywood songs, to several local Pride Festivals including Mississauga Pride, Peel Pride, Serving with Pride (Peel Police), and the the 2023 CGLCC Black and White Gala.

DJ Donovan’s journey started off at a very young age of 15, not believing that the journey would have taken him to where he is today. He takes pride in himself, by being professional and approachable, while aiming to please.rnrnDJ Donovan has played school dances, weddings, birthday parties, wrap parties, social events, community events, corporate parties, and prominent events like Black Diamond Ball TO, TIFF, The Vanguard, Pride Toronto and is currently the resident DJ at Friday Harbour Resort.rnrnThe style of music he plays ranges from, but is not limited to: Old school, Dance (EDM), Reggae, Soca, Afro, Latin, Brazilian, Pop, Classic Rock, Ru0026amp;B/Hip Hop, and Funk. DJ Donovan sees himself as a conductor of the dancefloor.

Gay Jesus is an internationally performing drag king serving Latine wine and non-binary bread.rnrnHe’s the 2019 Fierce! Festival Producer’s Choice Feature, was a featured performer for Canada Pride ’22 and debuted in 2024 at the Toronto Burlesque Festival and as a Featured Artist at the Austin International Drag Festival. Most recently, he was added to CBC Art’s Super Queeroes list and announced as a Featured Performer for the 2025 Toronto Burlesque Festival.
Evening attire is recommended, but comfort comes first. Feel free to dress in a way that reflects your style — whether classic, colourful, or something that makes you shine.
We are pleased to offer a special group rate for CQCC Gala attendees at the Chelsea Toronto. If you’re joining us for the Gala and require accommodations, we recommend to take advantage of this exclusive rate.
Rate: $139 CAD per night
When to book: This rate is honoured between November 12 and November 16, 2025

CQCC is dedicated to maintaining inclusive and accessible spaces for everyone. During our events, all participants are required to treat each other with dignity, fairness, and respect.
Any harassment and discrimination, including, but not limited to, that based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, or disability is not permitted under any circumstance. CQCC reserves the right to take immediate action, including removing the responsible participant from the event, as well as issuing a permanent ban from any future CQCC events.
If you witness or experience any form of discrimination or harassment at the GALA, please reach out to the event organizer.
(Gala Code of Conduct coming soon.)
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