FORMER JOBURG PRIDE CHAIR TO HEAD TORONTO PRIDE

Tracey Sandilands, the 2007 Chair of Joburg Pride, has been appointed to head up Pride Toronto in Canada, one of the world’s largest Pride events.

Sandilands is currently in the role of Joburg Pride Administrator on a part time basis. She will also be leaving her full time job as Editor of Property24 to take on the position of Executive Director of the Canadian organisation.

Sandilands was a former board member of the Cape Town Pride Festival for three years before moving to Johannesburg, and spent a year with the Cape-based LGBT community services organisation Triangle Project handling media and events.

“I’m thrilled and honoured to have been selected and to have the adventure of moving to Canada and at the same time continuing to work in the LGBT environment,” she said.

Sandilands will be moving to Canada with her partner of almost five years, Janine Marais.

Tanya Harford, current Co-Chair of Joburg Pride lauded Sandilands and congratulated her on her new role:

“Tracey has proven to be key element to the success of Joburg Pride. While we deeply regret that we are losing someone of her calibre, we are very proud of her and wish her the very best in Canada. We have no doubt that Toronto’s Pride will only grow bigger and better under her leadership.”

As Executive Director of Pride Toronto she will provide strategic and operational leadership and administer the operations of the organisation under the guidance of its board, to which she will report and work with.

Pride Toronto is a registered not-for-profit organisation that produces Toronto’s annual Pride Week, which attracts around 1,5m participants every year.