On Sunday, more than one million people took to the streets of Toronto to celebrate three decades of gay and lesbian pride at the Gay Pride Parade. In temperatures reaching upwards of 35 degrees Celsius, some men dressed in female attire, some women just wore bikinis and others hid under an umbrella and holding a rainbow pride flag.
Everyone took part in the pride festivities, including police officers who are under deep scrutiny from last week’s alleged violence towards protesters, EMS workers, community leaders and federal, provincial and municipal leaders.
Individuals held many signs that read “My Pride Includes Free Speech,” “LGBT have human rights” and “Of all days, today everyone can share in the joy.”
People throwing confetti from apartments during pride parade
Policeman holding pride flag at the beginning of the gay pride parade.
Elderly woman in wheelchair.
Draq queen participating in the parade.
Person on a wheelchair during the Gay Pride Parade
People holding pride flag during parade
Members of Parliament Olivia Chow and Jack Layton were in attendance dancing to the pop music, Toronto Mayoral candidate George Smitherman marched with dozens of people promoting his campaign and Member of Provincial Parliament of the Toronto Centre, Glenn Murray, was also in attendance wearing a t-shirt that stated, “Love is a human right.”
As the streets were packed and people standing for several hours, participants on floats sprayed water at people. Companies also helped the crowd by handing out free bottles of water or leaving coolers of sodas in front of their businesses.
According to the
Winnipeg Free Press, organizers of the parade were unhappy with Queers Against Apartheid because they were banned from marching but in the end they had changed their minds and accepted the group.
The pride festivities took part on the same day as Queen Elizabeth visits Toronto.
Toronto Mayoral candidate George Smitherman.
MP Jack Layton dancing on float at the Gay Pride Parade
Canadian MP Olivia Chow dancing on float the Gay Pride Parade.
Float during Gay Pride Parade
Draq queens at the Gay Pride Parade
Sign on a float during the Gay Pride Parade.
Sign on a float during the Gay Pride Parade.
