THEGAYUK

Tag: Toronto Pride

All the latest breaking news on Toronto Pride. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Toronto Pride.

  • Justin Trudeau wore brilliant Eid Mubarak socks

    In a powerful show of unity, Canada’s President, Justin Trudeau was reaching out to more than just the gay community this past weekend.

    As Toronto Pride was in full swing this year, Canadian President, Justin Trudeau was doing his bit. Proudly waving and joining in with the festivities, but it was what was under his trousers that caused the biggest stir.

    Embed from Getty Images

    To celebrate the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Mr Trudeau wore brightly coloured socks with “Eid Muburak” written across them. Eid Murburak means Blessed Eid which is a traditional Muslim greeting reserved for use on the festivals of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. The word Eid means”celebration” and Mubarak means “blessed”.

    https://twitter.com/flahertykeely/status/879097657490153472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinknews.co.uk%2F2017%2F06%2F27%2Fthis-is-why-justin-trudeau-wore-ramadan-socks-to-toronto-pride%2F

    Speaking about his decision to wear the socks President Trudeau said,

    “It is all about including people.

    “This is why I am happy to wish a Eid Muburak to everyone of the Muslim faith.

    “It’s all about how we celebrate the multiple layers of identities that make Canada extraordinary and strong, and today we celebrate with the entire LGBTQ community.”

    Last year President Trudeau became the first President to take part in an LGBT+ parade and since his inauguration, he has overseen progressive equality legislation for the LGBT+ community.

  • Toronto Pride parade goes ahead without police in the parade

    Toronto Pride went ahead this weekend with the exception of one long-running supporter in the parade, the police force.

    Gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans police officers in Toronto did not take part in this year’s event after Black Lives Matter protestors disrupted last year’s parade and demanded that they be excluded from the parade along with other requests, which the organisers signed on the spot – without consultation.

    Black Lives Matter said it had launched its objection to hold Pride answerable for its “anti-blackness”.

    Instead of taking part in a parade which was on their home turf, 100 TPA officers and civilians marched in the New York City parade.

    The Pride organisers were keen to clarify that the force was not “banned” saying that LGBT officers were welcome to take part with “select conditions”. They were asked not to include “uniforms, weapons, and vehicles”.

    They said,

    “We welcome and encourage their participation to add to Pride this year as members of our community. LGBTQ+ police officers and their allies can march in the parade with community groups, with the City of Toronto, or even create their own group.

    “We are simply requesting that their participation not include the following elements: uniform, weapons, and vehicles.

    “The Toronto Police Service has been involved and supportive to us throughout our festival planning. They will provide all the necessary services to ensure that the festival weekend and parade are secure and successful.

    What Were The Black Lives Matter demands?

    • Continued space, including stage and tents, funding and logistical support for Black Queer Youth.
    • Self-determination for all community spaces at Pride, allowing community groups full control over hiring, content and structure of their stages.
    • Full and adquate funding for community stages, including logistical, technical and personnel support.
    • Doubling of funding for Blockorama to $13,000.
    • Reinstatement of the South Asian stage.
    • Prioritising of the hiring of Black transwomen, Indigenous people and others from vulnerable communities at Pride Toronto.
    • More Black deaf and hearing sign language interpreters for the festival.
    • Removal of police floats in the Pride marches and parades.
    • A town hall organised in conjunction with groups from marginalised communities, including but not limited to Black Lives Matter – Toronto, Blackness Yes and Black Queer Youth, in six months, where Pride Toronto will present an update and action plan on BLM-TO’s demands

    Black Lives Matter did not take part in this year’s parade saying they wanted to ensure their “presence is felt through the parade” through other organisations.

  • World’s “Sexiest” Prime Minister Joins Canada Pride Event

    North America’s largest Pride festival unveils Canada’s first-ever Pride Month.

    Pride Toronto, the city’s most vibrant and inclusive arts and cultural festival and North America’s largest Pride celebration, has unveiled its 2016 Pride Month theme, announcing to the world that this June, “YOU CAN SIT WITH US.” The campaign for Canada’s first-ever Pride Month, features Canada’s top political leaders: noted “sexiest man alive” and “politician dreamboat” (Vogue) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, openly out Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and partner Jane Rounthewaite and Toronto Mayor John Tory who will all participate in this year’s festivities in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    Pride Toronto’s 2016 Parade will make Canadian history, with Justin Trudeau participating as Canada’s first ever sitting Prime Minister to march, alongside leadership from both Toronto’s municipal and Ontario’s provincial governments.

    To celebrate the power and beauty of its diverse community, Pride Toronto held an open photo shoot for community members, artists and city leaders to show their Pride. The event was met with an overwhelming response, enabling the campaign to showcase over 300 community members of all ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and ethnicities.

    “If a picture is worth 1,000 words, maybe 1,000 pictures has the potential to give a true face to our community. And what a truly diverse and beautiful community we have,’” said Mathieu Chantelois, Pride Toronto Executive Director. “By striking a pose for our camera crew, hundreds took a stand for Pride Toronto, they are telling the world that it’s ok to sit with us, but also to rally, march, celebrate, love and change the world with us.”

    Noted personalities in the campaign also include: Ministers of Canadian parliament, Toronto City Councillors, Trans activists, the Toronto Police Service Chief of Police, the Guinness World Record Holder for Oldest Performing Drag Queen, DJs, artists and performers, along with Pride Toronto’s recently announced 2016 Honoured Group, Black Lives Matter – Toronto.

    This year’s theme is a play on, and response to, the infamous line from the 2004 cult-classic film Mean Girls. ‘YOU CAN SIT WITH US’ conveys a strong message of belonging and inclusion – a sentiment that was heard in consultations with community members.

    Canada’s first-ever Pride Month will launch on 1 June, featuring extended programming and provocative events throughout the city, culminating the much-anticipated Pride Parade on 3 July.