Toronto Pride Parade 2013

I went to the Pride Parade again last Sunday. This is probably the fourth time (or so) that I've gone. I pretty much know what to expect now. You have to get there fairly early to get a good spot if you want to take pictures; you have to keep your eyes out for squirt guns if you don't want your camera to get wet; and people are always going to squeeze in tight beside you. So it helps if you're fairly tall if you want to get reasonably decent shots.

This was the 33rd year they've held the parade here in Toronto. This year they extended the route slightly. In the past it would start on Yonge at Bloor and go down to College Street. This year they extended the route down to Dundas. Most of the time I'd find a spot on the west side of Yonge a bit north of College. This was because you get the sun on the faces of the participants when you're on the west side and because I'd always arrive kind of late after coming from church service. So I'd always find a spot near the end of the route.

This year I got to the parade by around 1:00 p.m. An hour before it officially started. I found a nice spot south of College. There were some trees along the median in front of College Park where I thought it would be nice to sit because it was shaded. But there was no space. So I staked out a spot along the barricade just south of there.

Since the parade probably wouldn't get down to me for another hour and a half I took out my umbrella, sat down against the fence and had a siesta in the shade. Unfortunately, by the time the parade participants got down to where I was standing, the shadow from the new condo at Yonge and Gerrard was right over top of me. So the photos I took at the beginning had a blue cast to them (until the shadows passed).

The parade was fine. It always starts off with the folks on their motorcycles. It make sense because they're the fastest parade goers. Then a variety of colourful floats and walking groups go by usually accompanied by lively dance music. That's always fun.

I've always maintained that this parade is much better organized than the Caribbean Carnival (formerly Caribana). They always have huge gaps between their floats while this one is pretty steady. I guess I'm just getting used to it, so there are no real surprises (even the wrinkly, old, naked guys). Even though there are new entrants, I've noticed a lot of returnees. It's cool to see them again, though some of them do need to get new costumes.

This year some of the notable participants were Ontario premier, Kathleen Wynne (the first sitting premier to participate in the parade); Justin Trudeau, the newly elected federal Liberal leader; Andrea Horwath, the leader of the provincial NDP; and leader of the official opposition in Ottawa, NDP leader, Tom Mulcair.

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!

2011 Toronto Pride Parade

I went to the 2011 Pride Parade this year. It's the third parade I've attended over the years. I like going. It's always a lively, colourful event. As long as it doesn't conflict with my boarding home visit then I'll try to make it.

I went with my friend Kerry this year. We met for lunch at Rol Jui after church. I was worried about not getting a good spot if I stopped for lunch, but we still got there on time. I was only behind one row of spectators. But, since I'm fairly tall I managed to shoot over them (or between them).

It was a hot, sunny day. You had to make sure you kept hydrated or you could get into trouble. I have to say I didn't drink any water, so I was getting pretty baked. That's the sacrifice I was willing to make not to lose my spot so I could get some good photos. My friend Kerry stood in the shade of a building further back. So he was a bit more comfortable than me.

As usual, the parade was long, but upbeat. I heard there were over 1 million people who either participated or lined the parade route. One notable exception was the mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford. It was the first time the sitting mayor has missed the parade in many years. Supposedly he was at a family retreat north of the city.

Nevertheless, I think it's his duty to support an event this big. Pride week is a huge event here in Toronto. It brings in visitors from all over the world and a lot of money for local businesses. To snub it is to marginalize the LGBT community. Even the former mayor, David Miller, was there, not to mention federal NDP leader, Jack Layton, and his wife Olivia Chow and Green Party leader Elizabeth May.

So, even though I'm a Rob Ford supporter in general, boo to you for missing the boat on this one Mr. Mayor.

Check out my shots here.

My Toronto - Gay Pride Parade

This is a photo I took from the 2006 Gay Pride Parade here in Toronto. This year is it's 30th anniversary.

It's a hugely popular event that attracts upwards of a million people along it's route. Major corporate sponsors have floats and people of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds participate.

2010 Pride Week begins on June 25th culminating with the much anticipated Pride Parade on Sunday, July 4th. The parade starts at 2:00 p.m. at Bloor and Church, runs south on Yonge to Gerrard before heading back to Church.

If you want to get a curbside spot be sure to arrive at least an hour or two before the parade starts. And if you have a camera be sure to look out for the many parade participants with squirt guns. Have fun!