Rainbow High: Spotlight on Toronto’s Glad Day Bookshop, the World’s Oldest LGBTQ+ Bookstore

Toronto, Canada, has long been recognized as one of the world’s most welcoming destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers, celebrated for its multicultural identity and diverse queer-owned businesses. At the heart of Toronto’s Church-Wellesley Village, the city’s vibrant queer enclave, stands Glad Day Bookshop—a business that not only serves as a retail space but as a community hub, event venue, and historic symbol of LGBTQ+ resilience and visibility.

Founded in 1970, Glad Day Bookshop is widely recognized as the oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore in the world, providing literature, resources, and safe gathering space for the queer community through decades of social change. The shop’s roots are deeply intertwined with the city’s evolution as a haven for LGBTQ+ rights, having served activists, artists, and everyday people seeking affirmation and connection.

Throughout its history, Glad Day has championed freedom of expression, frequently resisting censorship and legal challenges that targeted queer literature and representation. Its impact goes beyond retail, as it has continually offered a platform for marginalized voices and hosted countless readings, discussions, and celebrations—particularly during Toronto’s annual Pride Festival, one of North America’s largest and most diverse Pride events.

Today, Glad Day Bookshop is more than just a bookstore. It’s a café, bar, and event space, hosting everything from drag brunches to poetry slams and community workshops. The shop’s programming is intentionally inclusive, welcoming all LGBTQ+ identities—including transgender people, nonbinary individuals, and people of color. Glad Day’s commitment to accessibility is evident in its wheelchair-friendly layout and its efforts to provide free or low-cost events for those facing financial barriers.

Glad Day also prioritizes intersectionality, curating literature and events that center on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized queer communities. This commitment is reflected in its partnerships with local organizations, mental health initiatives, and support groups, which use the bookstore as a gathering place to address issues like discrimination, mental health, and homelessness among LGBTQ+ populations.

Toronto’s status as a top LGBTQ+ travel destination is reinforced by its broad network of inclusive businesses, ranging from restaurants and bars to boutiques and galleries. The Church-Wellesley Village, anchored by Glad Day, draws thousands of visitors each year, especially during Pride Month, when the streets transform into a celebration of diversity and acceptance.

Local businesses frequently display rainbow flags and signage to signal their allyship and commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Glad Day stands out for its longevity and its unwavering dedication to advocacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Glad Day launched emergency relief funds for queer artists and hospitality workers, further cementing its role as a lifeline for vulnerable community members.

Glad Day’s influence extends beyond Toronto, inspiring LGBTQ+ bookstores and community spaces around the world to adopt similar models of inclusion and activism. Its story is frequently cited in global travel guides and LGBTQ+ destination rankings, positioning Toronto as a must-visit city for queer travelers seeking both celebration and connection.

International organizations, such as Human Rights Campaign and ILGA World, have highlighted the importance of queer-owned businesses like Glad Day in fostering safe spaces and advancing LGBTQ+ rights worldwide. Visitors to Toronto often cite their experience at Glad Day as a highlight, praising the staff’s warmth, the diverse book selection, and the sense of belonging they feel upon entering the space.

In a rapidly changing world, Glad Day Bookshop remains committed to its founding principles of inclusion, activism, and community support. As Toronto continues to attract LGBTQ+ travelers from around the globe, Glad Day stands as a living testament to the power of safe spaces, queer entrepreneurship, and the enduring spirit of Pride.