2012 Pride Parade

The 2012 Toronto Pride Parade was last Sunday. Coincidentally it was also Canada Day. So I had to choose what I wanted to see after church that day. They were having celebrations at Queen's Park for Canada Day at the same time.

Of course I chose the Pride Parade. It's way more colourful. And the cast of characters the parade attracts are really outgoing and have a great time (both participants and spectators).

I don't know if I noticed as many big names sponsors as in previous years. I thought there were less musical floats, but I could be wrong. A lot of parade goers had different statements to make - some social others political. Some just wanted to have fun.

Brian Burke, the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs was there. His son, Brendan, was gay. Tragically he lost his life back in 2010 in a car accident. Federal Liberal party interim leader, Bob Rae, was there as well. I even saw Tommy Smythe from Sarah Richardson's show on HGTV.

Notably absent (again) was Toronto mayor Rob Ford. We live in such a diverse city. Even though I'm generally a supporter of his, I think he has to put aside his personal feelings to support his constituents from time to time. Pride is a huge event that attracts many people to our great city and brings in tons of money to local merchants.

Happy Pride!