FutuRéale Magazine - Reviews - Festivals & Events

Toronto’s Pride: The 28th Annual Pride Parade
By: Laura Grande

It was Sunday, June 29. I realized, too late, that finding a prime location in which to view Toronto’s annual Pride Parade is no mean feat, so long as you anticipate the massive crowds and show up about forty-five minutes prior to the 2pm start time. In failing to appear so early, I wound up behind a large group of spectators. As my friends and I fanned ourselves against the heat, I took in the sights and sounds that surrounded me. Armed with the rainbow flag that I had purchased for three dollars only moments earlier, I stood on my toes just to see over the throng of people.

This being my first Pride Parade, I wanted to absorb as much as I could. Rainbow flags and streamers cascaded down from hotel balconies, as one particularly rowdy group of drag queens poured buckets of water onto the unsuspecting people below. The crowd erupted in riotous laughter and cheers. Meanwhile, some bold individuals celebrated from the tops of the smaller buildings that lined the streets; McDonald’s and convenience stores being the locations of choice. Everyone was already in high spirits and the parade had not even reached our location yet. It slowly traveled west on Bloor Street between Church and Younge, before turning east on Gerrard and concluding on Church Street.

Unified was the theme, as the parade promised to be an eclectic spectacle of music, dancing, passion, and of course, pride. Considered to be one of the largest Pride events in the world, Pride Week brings in millions of dollars to the city of Toronto annually. With its promise of celebrating and accepting an individuals’ sexual orientation, it is no small wonder why it has become an integral part of our city’s identity and cultural diversity.

Approximately half an hour after its start time, the parade slowly snaked its way to where my friends and I were situated along the street. Led by the Dykes on Bikes, vibrant floats came into view as the crowd grew louder and either surged forward against the barriers or wrapped themselves around lampposts. Acrobatics, dancers, singing drag queens and floats with themes such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Sound of Music flooded the street, littering the ground and leaving in its wake a steady trail of streamers, popped balloons and broken beaded necklaces that some people neglected to catch. Armed, as per Pride tradition, with super soaker water guns, most of the parade participants eagerly cooled off the overheated spectators with a generous dose of cold water. One man, atop a float promoting a support group for AIDS victims, proceeded to have a mini water gun battle with a young girl in the crowd, who happily took part in an all-out war, while sitting on her father’s shoulders.

Regardless of age or nationality, each and every spectator seemed just as wholeheartedly swept up in the events unfolding before them, as the men and women taking part in the actual parade. I admired the parents who chose to bring their children along to the festivities in an attempt to break away from homosexuality as a taboo subject, unworthy of celebration or acceptance.

One aspect the festival organizers always take great pleasure in is the promise of something new each year. For 2008, there was one particular “first” that is rightfully seen as a monumental step forward for those in the gay community. Members of Canada’s Armed Forces took part in the parade for the first time. This historical moment was met with the loudest cheers from the crowds, as our men and women in uniform proudly waved to the masses that surrounded them in full support.

With music blaring from loudspeakers, the crowd jumped and swayed to every song that accompanied each float. Every now and then, a friend or family member of a parade participant would call out the names of their loved ones, waving frantically, while trying to take a picture at the same time. Every group and nationality had their turn to represent themselves in this celebration of open sexuality and acceptance. This year’s parade had definitely followed through on its theme of unification.

Two and a half hours after it had started, the parade was over. The street was a mess, but everyone was in high spirits; even the police officers watching over the proceedings to ensure crowd safety were enjoying the afternoon. I noticed how well behaved everyone was, despite the masses merging together, making walking almost impossible. Despite the June sun beating down on us and the slow pace it took to get onto Church Street, no one ever pushed or complained. Complete strangers turned to one another and struck up random conversations to make the going easier.

After the parade, Church Street was lined with booths ranging from STD awareness and support groups, to advertisements for Trojan condoms; complete with toned men in their Greek gear. The Trojan boys were certainly popular with those in the crowd, who wanted their pictures taken with some of the parade participants. Little makeshift shops sold everything from clothing, to gay and lesbian cruises, to colourful lollipops made to look like certain parts of the human anatomy. The bars that lined the streets were already packed, as people prepared for the evenings’ closing parties, with Woody’s being the central hub that everyone seemed to gravitate towards.

All in all, my first Pride Parade was a great success! I was all caught up in the celebration of equality and diversity in our great city. What better way to spend a glorious Sunday afternoon?