PHOTO: CAMATLARGE VIA FLICKR (CC BY 2.0)
This year, World Pride is hosted by Pride Toronto and is a ten-day event where people from all over the world come to march, party and love freely.
From June 20 to 29 all Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited and Allies will gather throughout the streets of Toronto for North America’s first-ever World Pride celebration, having previously been held in Rome, Jerusalem and London.
Since 1991, Toronto City Council has proclaimed Pride Day and since then, Pride Day has turned into Pride Week. Toronto is known around the world to be open and welcoming to the community.
This international celebration incorporates activism, education, history, and culture.
An online panel called Pride Divide discussed the evolution of Pride in Toronto on April 7, received a lot of feedback about Pride becoming too mainstream and corporate, the ‘rights’ or ‘wrongs’, and what should and should not be allowed when it comes to Pride Week in Toronto.
Laura Krahn, a Dyke March committee member who was leading the online discussion wrote, “I think it’s amazing to see all the different bodies represented at Pride – in all their various outfits or lack thereof. In the midst of such body-shaming culture, this can be pretty revolutionary.”
There are plenty of options to volunteer for World Pride. By visiting the World Pride Toronto website, you will find that this event is produced by year-round volunteers helping make a difference alongside full-time staff. Volunteering is a huge and important part of why Pride Week and World Pride has been so successful in past years.
During June, Pride is prevalent in Toronto and there is almost no escaping the hype.
With street fairs and galleries open to the public, there is something for everyone during the most colourful time of the year.
DJs will play shows in parking lots and have dancers and divas there to guide you on your adventure for a full three days.
World Pride is also a family-friendly event. Family Pride is an event during the ten-day occasion and offers a kid-friendly zone filled with crafts, games, face painting and live entertainment.
Clean, Sober & Proud, a substance-free zone for the partiers that want to enjoy World Pride without being surrounded by booze, is located at the Paul Kane Parkette full of live performances, holistic services and confidential meetings.
If you have yet to experience the excitement of Toronto during Pride Week, you’re in for a treat during this year’s World Pride affair. The Pride Parade is a well-known highlight of Pride Week and is celebrated as the community marches down Yonge Street in colourful floats, costumes and music.
Consider yourself warned for the copious amounts of bare skin showing during this week since Pride Week is dedicated to loving who you are and celebrating people as they are.
