Toronto’s Church and Wellesley neighbourhood welcomed a new tenant: TD.
It was the first time a major Canadian financial institution opened a branch in the heart of what was then commonly called the city’s “Gay Village.”
At the time, the decision to open a branch in the community was seen as significant. Homophobic and transphobic views were often openly shared, and many couples from the community were fighting for the same rights as heterosexual couples; same sex marriage was not legal (and would not be legal in Canada until 2005), and many workplaces did not offer same-sex spousal benefits.
Determined to make its commitment to supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community known, TD opened the Church and Wellesley branch, nestled at the intersection of Church and Wellesley Streets. TD leadership believed it was important to physically root the Bank within Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community and develop meaningful relationships with residents and local businesses.
In 1984,
"TD decided to open that branch in the heart of the gay community in Toronto,” said Al Ramsay, Vice President and Head of the 2SLGBTQ+ and Black Customer Segments at TD. “That must have sent a huge and loud signal to the community that you matter.”
This June marks the Church and Wellesley branch’s 40th anniversary. The area is still home to many members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and the branch has remained an integral part of the neighbourhood. Local businesses have been banking with TD for decades, and colleagues who work at the Church and Wellesley branch have long supported community initiatives, such as participating in the annual AIDS Walk Toronto and walking in the Pride Parade. In 2005, TD became the first financial institution in Canada to sponsor Pride Toronto.
Church and Wellesley
over the years
2018
Importantly, the branch has become a symbol of the Bank’s unwavering commitment to supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community not only in Toronto, but across North America.
“This branch physically is very small, but is very tall in the community,” said Cyrus Pourmoslemi, current branch manager at Church and Wellesley.
2019
2020
2022
2023
