Tony Award winner Audra McDonald headlined the 519 Gala to support 2SLGBTQ+ communities

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel sparkled on April 30 as some 350 philanthropists, entertainers, patrons of the arts and 2SLGBTQ+ advocates gathered for Salah Bachir’s annual 519 Gala. Tony Award winner Audra McDonald entertained the crowd and novelist John Irving received the first-ever 519 Ally Award at the event, which raised funds to support The 519, a city of Toronto agency devoted to 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Since 2005, Bachir’s fundraising efforts have raised more than $20 million for The 519.

Audra McDonald.

Tynomi Banks.

Nelly Furtado.

Marsha Stephanie Blake, Damon D’Oliveira and Kent Monkman.

Gary and Donna Slaight.

Autumn Smith and Sara Hiscox.

Eva Everett and John Irving.

Michael Swell, Bernard Doucet, Rob Sobey, Monique Sobey, Marsha Sobey and Paul Sobey.

Barbara Hall, Salah Bachir and Jacob Yerex.

Dori Tunstall and J’net Ayayqwayaksheelth.

Margaret Atwood and Rick Mercer.

Kelly Freeman and Traci Melchor.

Sylvia and Robert Mantella.

Kate and David Daniels, Kim Cattrall and Russell Thomas.

Leonard McHardy and Nada Ristich.

Patricia Rozema and Emily Hampshire.

Correction – May 27, 2023: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Marsha Stephanie Blake.

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