LGBTQ2S+ newcomers celebrate first Pride in Canada [Video]

When Zhya Aramiy was living in Turkey and Iraq, he had to keep his Pride flags hidden away.

Aramiy, who identifies as gay, fled from Iraq at the age of 27 after facing threats, physical violence and ostracization from his family because of his sexuality.

“I was at the point where I said, ‘I can’t stand it anymore,’” said Aramiy. “Either I have to lose my life here, just stay living this way, or I have to save my life … go somewhere safe.”

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After living in Turkey for seven years as a refugee, Aramiy, now 35, relocated to Toronto last September. He said when he first visited the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood, known as the city’s Gay Village, it was the first time he had seen so many Pride flags out in the open.

“When I was going out on Church Street, I could see lots of rainbow flags, …