More than a million people crowded Toronto on Sunday, decked out in fanciful costumes and hoisting rainbow flags as they celebrated thirty years of Pride in sweltering heat.
In three decades, the parade for gay and lesbian rights has morphed into a place for politics and a place to party, as people on the streets sang, danced and cheered.
“It's the biggest party in the world, man,” said one person attending pride. “I've heard that it's better than San Francisco Pride, but I've never been,”
As the parade winded its way through city streets, people cheered, confetti was thrown and volunteers sprayed the sweaty masses with water guns as the crowd watched the parade.
It felt somehow fitting that Queen Elizabeth II spent her first full day in Toronto, on the same day as a million queens celebrated gay pride. Everybody in town was in a mood for a party. Lady Gaga music blared over speakers strapped to trucks as people yelled out “Happy Pride.” The parade also featured drag queens dressed in heavy purple and pink taffeta dresses, carrying parasols. Police also rode through the parade route, waving at people to show support.In the parade on Sunday, many people held signs that said “My Pride includes free speech.”
One of the world's best known gay icons, Cyndi Lauper, will be headlining Toronto's 30th anniversary Pride festival this summer.The Grammy-winning singer will be holding a free concert during Pride Week on July 3 at Queen's Park.In a statement, Lauper says it's an honour to have the genuine affection of the gay community."They have never turned their back on me and I will never turn my back on them. We've had a long and enduring love affair," she says.Lauper became a household name with her hit single "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" in 1983.She's working on a new album set to be released in June.
The Toronto Police Service reports that 27-year-old Chris Skinner was killed in the early morning hours of Oct 18.Police were called to the Adelaide St E and Victoria St area at 3 am to investigate a report of an injured pedestrian.Police said in a press release that an altercation took place between Skinner and the occupants of a black SUV. Skinner was knocked to the ground. The attackers then returned to their vehicle and ran Skinner over with it.Police say the SUV fled eastbound on Adelaide St. Skinner was taken to hospital where he died.Story From Xtra Canada
Toronto is already planning the festivities for when it hosts the World Pride event in 2014.The city beat out Stockholm to host the international political and cultural event that promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.Mark Singh, chair of the city's World Pride committee, said the festival will highlight the acceptance of the gay community by Canadians.So far the program calls for an opening ceremony with a parade of nations and an international human rights conference. There will also be an AIDS candlelight vigil along with three parades including a Trans March, a Dyke March and Pride Parade.The 2014 events will replace the city's usual Pride Week, and will be scheduled to celebrate Canada Day and the U.S. Independence Day.Toronto resident Matthew Middleton celebrated Sunday's announcement on Church Street. "This is fantastic for strictly gay tourism, and for showing how accepting a city we are," Middleton said.
Toronto a 'gay-friendly' city: Rae
Organizers estimate that it will cost $10 million to host the international event. Coun. Kyle Rae said he hopes Ottawa will help cover part of the cost."I would expect the federal government would get on board and highlight our achievements as an equity-seeking society," Rae said.Rae said the decision to give the event to Toronto is a reflection of the city's reputation as a gay-friendly city."I think people in other jurisdictions recognize that there's something speical in Toronto," Rae said.Pride Toronto officials said last summer's Pride Week contributed more than $100 million to the province's economy. Organizers said World Pride could contribute five times that much.Story From Canadian Press
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The Toronto Police Service reports that 27-year-old Chris Skinner was killed in the early morning hours of Oct 18.
