TORONTO (Digital Journal) — Canada’s largest city hosted the country’s largest Pride Day parades this weekend, a fitting honour for a city that is noted for its sexual diversity. Toronto’s 25th celebration of gay and lesbian culture attracted close to 125,000 spectators and more than one million took part in the Pride Week festivities on the weekend.
For the first time in the history of the parade, Toronto’s Police Chief, Bill Blair, was part of the parade that snaked through the downtown core on a sweltering afternoon. “To me, it sums up so much of what Toronto is about. Everyone’s welcome here, everyone’s respected,” said Toronto Mayor David Miller.
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A group of men dance on top of a float in downtown Toronto during the city’s 25th Pride Day celebration. — Photo by Digital Journal |
And he means everyone. The three-hour parade showcased cross-dressers of every fabric and topless women hugging their lovers. One of the standouts included a man dressed up in a peacock-shaped costume in hues of red, yellow and purple. In true Pride Toronto tradition, parade-goers provided some cool relief by spraying revellers with water guns.
Entertainment was also central this weekend, as crowd-pleasers rocked out to the topless throngs. On Saturday night, Boy George (of Culture Club fame) played a DJ set at the Kool Haus, and singer David Usher performed at one of the many musical stages during Sunday’s parade. Belly-dancers, burlesque dancers and contortionists made sure the unusual was well-represented.
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Participants of Toronto’s 25th annual Pride Day Parade hold up the signature Pride Day flag while marching through the downtown core. — Photo by Digital Journal |
Toronto retailers were also showing their pride by pitching their corporate message to the gay and lesbian communities by giving away thousands of free products. Ikea was on hand giving away free stuffed animals, Schick gave out free Quatro 4 razor blades, Green Peace handed out whistles and, of course, Trojan was there to hand out free condoms.
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Among the companies present on Toronto’s 25th Pride Day was Trojan Condoms. The company’s spokesmodels were there to give out free condoms to passers by. — Photo by Digital Journal |
Pride parades also took place Sunday in San Francisco, New York and Chicago to celebrate the 35th anniversary of gay pride. But Canada’s involvement was tinged with anticipation — the federal government will soon vote on Bill C-38, the nation-wide legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill easily passed its first two votes, even though all but four members of the Conservative caucus have opposed the legislation.
If there is any event to foreshadow Canada’s progressive stance, it is Toronto’s Pride Day parade, which supplied enough skin-glistening fun for both gay and lesbians, and straight visitors.
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For the first time in the history of Pride Day, Toronto’s Police Chief, Bill Blair (left), was part of the parade. Also out celebrating was Toronto City Councillor, Kyle Rae. — Photo by Digital Journal |
Toronto’s Pride Day went off without a hitch, and special mention goes out to city officials who manicured the parade route and pre-planned with great care; city workers had the streets clean almost immediately after the parade floats passed by.
The importance of Pride Day should not be underestimated. The parade is an opportunity for Toronto to showcase its openness, acceptance and vibrancy, and the city is helping to lead a worldwide movement that is rapidly gaining momentum.
