The streets of downtown Toronto were filled with colors, music, and smiles on Sunday when the city’s pride parade returned for the first time in two years.
Hundreds of thousands of people lined Yonge Street on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the return of the parade after it was removed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The procession began at 2 pm on the corner of Bloor and Church streets.
Colorful floating ships – some kind of loud music to breathe energy into the crowd – dancers, drag queens and other demonstrators waving rainbow flags and carrying signs of love and acceptance, walked slowly along the route and headed to Yonge-Dundas Square, where the parade culminates.
Among those paraded are a group that has never been to a pride parade until Sunday, community organizations, unions, emergency services, sports teams and high-ranking officials. Phil Opoku-Guima, widely known as Dr. Lady Phil, was the international Grand Marshal of the parade.
One of the high-ranking figures in the parade was Toronto Mayor John Torrey, who marched with other city council members.
He said it was good that urban events like Pride were back after a long hiatus.
IN PHOTOS: The Pride Parade in Toronto 2022
“This is so good at a time when rights are being reduced elsewhere in the world that we can celebrate the fact that we have made such progress. We have a lot of work. But I think we’re happy to respect each other and hug, “Tori said.” And that’s why I think that’s a reason to be proud. “
Torrey was also with her grandson Isabel, who came out as part of the LGBTQ + community. Earlier, the two attended a Pride breakfast organized by PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
“It’s so important for children and adults, all in Toronto, to feel that they can be what they are, and that they can celebrate what they are, and that we celebrate them. And that is the essence of what Toronto is. And we have to stay that way. So I was proud that Isabel is with me today, “Torrey said.
CP24 spoke to dozens of people at the parade, some of whom were at the Pride Parade for the first time, and all were happy to see him again and all to have a good time. Some were from other countries, including the United States, Israel and Nicaragua.
“I’ve never been around so many strange people at once. And it just makes me feel really at home and so on. So I really like it, “said a reveler who moved to Toronto from the United Kingdom. – I feel like a big old family.
When a paradisiac was asked what pride meant to him, he said it was about accepting and expressing who you are and not caring what others think.
“I feel good to know that there is more than you and a few of your friends, and it’s nice to have even like the right people, allies who all support you, because there will obviously be people all day who don’t. so it’s good to see everyone celebrating it, “he said.
Pride Toronto said it expects approximately 1.8 million on Sunday.
Before the weekend, organizers said the festival was working with private security companies to conduct inspections at designated locations.
They say additional measures are needed given the reported increase in incidents against LGBTQ this month.
– With files from Beatrice Weissman, Chanel Cole and The Canadian Press
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