Who doesn’t love a peek behind the curtain? Come along on our styling adventures at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale, leading up to this year’s Destigmatize campaign. Styled by Leban “bomb.com” Osmani, we leaned into preppy, operatic, and uniform-inspired looks—pulling cues directly from the drama and grandeur of Massey Hall.
Editing by @akilelijah
Disclosure isn’t easy. It’s about trust, timing, and sharing your truth on your terms, knowing you’re worthy of respect, love, and care.
How do you show up when it matters? Visit DESTIGMATIZE.ca to find out.
Starring: Justen Ross / @jussten
Creative Director & Executive Producer: Nikolaos Théberge-Dritsas / @heterosexism
Creative Director & Program Manager: Tamar Carter / @tamar.carter1
Produced by Plot / @madebyplot
Directed by Eric Richards / @ericrichards
Executive Producers:
Rahul Madan / @madanrahul
Maxim Vlasseko / @mvlassenko
Producer: Moé Nurse / @toothpick.yamamoto
Cinematographer: Matt Levin-Gold / @matt.lg
Photographer: Kirk Lisaj / @largecrewneck
HMU: Ms.Myles / @ms.mylesmua
Wardrobe: Leban Osmani / @lebanosmani
1st AC: Alice Do / @theoldfashionedalice
2nd AC: Chris Lawrence / @clawrence.exe
Steadicam: Nhat Nguyen / natw1n
Gaffer: Steven McDonnell / @steven_mcdonn
Key Grip: Matty Labra / @mattylabs
Sound: Anthony Boire / Audio Process
Production Assistant: Tevin Standard / @tevinmicheall
Offline: Saints Editorial / @saintseditorial
Online: Darling VFX / @darling_vfx
Audio: TA2 Sound + Music / @ta2soundandmusic
Full credits at DESTIGMATIZE.ca/page/credits
With Heartfelt Thanks To:
Funder: ViiV Healthcare / @viivhealthcare
Partner: Yabu Pushelberg / @yabupushelberg
Production Partner: Plot / @madebyplot
Post-Production Partner: Saints Editorial / @saintseditorial
Web Partner: Locomotive / @locomotivemtl
Styling Partner: Holt Renfrew / @holtrenfrew
Safer Sex Partner: Jems / @jemsforall
PR Partner: Shannon Stephaniuk / @glossypr
Rental Partner: Ontario Camera / @ontariocamera
Stigma takes many forms. Sometimes it’s loud. Sometimes it hides in the quiet moments. But no matter how it shows up, we all have a role to play—by speaking up, staying informed, and leading with empathy.
How do you show up when it matters? Visit DESTIGMATIZE.ca to find out.
Starring: Justen Ross / @jussten
Creative Director & Executive Producer: Nikolaos Théberge-Dritsas / @heterosexism
Creative Director & Program Manager: Tamar Carter / @tamar.carter1
Produced by Plot / @madebyplot
Directed by Eric Richards / @ericrichards
Executive Producers:
Rahul Madan / @madanrahul
Maxim Vlasseko / @mvlassenko
Producer: Moé Nurse / @toothpick.yamamoto
Cinematographer: Matt Levin-Gold / @matt.lg
Photographer: Kirk Lisaj / @largecrewneck
HMU: Ms.Myles / @ms.mylesmua
Wardrobe: Leban Osmani / @lebanosmani
1st AC: Alice Do / @theoldfashionedalice
2nd AC: Chris Lawrence / @clawrence.exe
Steadicam: Nhat Nguyen / natw1n
Gaffer: Steven McDonnell / @steven_mcdonn
Key Grip: Matty Labra / @mattylabs
Sound: Anthony Boire / Audio Process
Production Assistant: Tevin Standard / @tevinmicheall
Offline: Saints Editorial / @saintseditorial
Online: Darling VFX / @darling_vfx
Audio: TA2 Sound + Music / @ta2soundandmusic
Full credits at DESTIGMATIZE.ca/page/credits
With Heartfelt Thanks To:
Funder: ViiV Healthcare / @viivhealthcare
Partner: Yabu Pushelberg / @yabupushelberg
Production Partner: Plot / @madebyplot
Post-Production Partner: Saints Editorial / @saintseditorial
Web Partner: Locomotive / @locomotivemtl
Styling Partner: Holt Renfrew / @holtrenfrew
Safer Sex Partner: Jems / @jemsforall
PR Partner: Shannon Stephaniuk / @glossypr
Rental Partner: Ontario Camera / @ontariocamera
HIV awareness and sexual education have always been at the heart of what we do. Presented by FUNCTION and Maggie’s Toronto, in partnership with Yabu Pushelberg and Plot, this year’s campaign invites you inward—to reflect on the nuances of stigma, the complexities of disclosure, and the everyday acts of care we can all embrace for a more compassionate future.
How do you show up when it matters? Visit DESTIGMATIZE.ca to find out.
Starring: Justen Ross / @jussten
Creative Director & Executive Producer: Nikolaos Théberge-Dritsas / @heterosexism
Creative Director & Program Manager: Tamar Carter / @tamar.carter1
Produced by Plot / @madebyplot
Directed by Eric Richards / @ericrichards
Executive Producers:
Rahul Madan / @madanrahul
Maxim Vlasseko / @mvlassenko
Producer: Moé Nurse / @toothpick.yamamoto
Cinematographer: Matt Levin-Gold / @matt.lg
Photographer: Kirk Lisaj / @largecrewneck
HMU: Ms.Myles / @ms.mylesmua
Wardrobe: Leban Osmani / @lebanosmani
1st AC: Alice Do / @theoldfashionedalice
2nd AC: Chris Lawrence / @clawrence.exe
Steadicam: Nhat Nguyen / natw1n
Gaffer: Steven McDonnell / @steven_mcdonn
Key Grip: Matty Labra / @mattylabs
Sound: Anthony Boire / Audio Process
Production Assistant: Tevin Standard / @tevinmicheall
Offline: Saints Editorial / @saintseditorial
Online: Darling VFX / @darling_vfx
Audio: TA2 Sound + Music / @ta2soundandmusic
Full credits at DESTIGMATIZE.ca/page/credits
With Heartfelt Thanks To:
Funder: ViiV Healthcare / @viivhealthcare
Partner: Yabu Pushelberg / @yabupushelberg
Production Partner: Plot / @madebyplot
Post-Production Partner: Saints Editorial / @saintseditorial
Web Partner: Locomotive / @locomotivemtl
Styling Partner: Holt Renfrew / @holtrenfrew
Safer Sex Partner: Jems / @jemsforall
PR Partner: Shannon Stephaniuk / @glossypr
Rental Partner: Ontario Camera / @ontariocamera
FUNCTION and Maggie’s Toronto are proud to award this year’s Ballroom Futures Scholarships to two young community members whose journeys embody the values of the Ballroom Empowerment Program and reflect the promise of our community’s future.
Obstreperous Old Navy
Obstreperous is pursuing a Bachelor of Music and advancing The Gay Ballet—an original work that fuses music, modern dance, and Ballroom expression to tell unapologetically queer stories.
Spades Unbothered Cartier
Spades is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Mental Health Studies, with the goal of becoming a therapist for QTBIPOC youth—working to bridge gaps in mental health care and create resources rooted in lived experience.
The Final Act: shit talking, tequila, and a cameo from our fave, Precious—thanks for having us, Montreal. Promise we had fun off-cam!
Editing by @akilelijah
Back-to-school means new Ballroom Futures Scholarships are here—thanks to our House of Tonic Kiki Ball fundraiser and the support of our friends at Sweat and Tonic.
Applications are now closed.
CATEGORY IS…RUNWAY 👠 “Community means mutual support, authenticity, and shared growth. It’s not about fitting in: it’s about showing up as you are and being held by people who genuinely want to see you thrive.”—Lamei.
@lameimulanwest@function10.ca
LA CATÉGORIE EST… RUNWAY 👠 « La communauté est synonyme de soutien mutuel, d’authenticité et de croissance partagée. Il ne s’agit pas de s’intégrer : il s’agit de se montrer telle que l’on est et d’être soutenue par des personnes qui souhaitent sincèrement vous voir vous épanouir. » – Lamei.
That’s a wrap on our Platinum Pride weekend vlog! Catch some light BTS action from last month’s ball as we gear up for Montreal.
Categories and tickets at the link in bio.
Editing by @akilelijah
Surprise, Montréal—we’re bringing our beloved Platinum Pride Ball to la belle province to kick off your Fierté the right way. And honey, you only got 37,000 minutes to get ready!
For the past three years, Toronto has battled it out for the crown. Now, it’s time to see which Montréal kiki house will rise and snatch our signature House with the Most Points grand prize—featuring Icon Precious Old Navy on the mic and G Mako Telfar on the decks.
In case you’re not familiar, the rules are simple. Join us at Bain Mathieu on July 31st and hit the floor in your most iconic Madonna-inspired effect. Doors at 7 PM. LSS at 7:30 PM.
Categories and tickets at the link in bio.
Hope you’ve all had a chance to recover from an incredible Pride weekend. Thanks for pony’ing up with us and making it one to remember!
Photography by @largecrewneck
