Toronto is Fearless

Fearless!, originally uploaded by nfotxn.

I left the Toronto Pride Parade this year feeling particularly great. It wasn't just the copious alcohol because this joy lingered beyond my light dusting of hang-over. It was something more substantial

What blows me over is that Pride manages to be everything to everyone. The circuit things can do their drugs and be retarded. Families can build sand castles with their children. People with disabilities have full access to most major events and venues. Bears can gaggle together, rub eachothers bellies and eat pasteries outside Timothy's. Hipsters, riot dykes, queer punks and freaks in general can protest Corporate Pride at the Alternaqueer stage. And all the while, to borrow a djmrswhite-ism, the "entitlement queens" can bitch about having to wait in line to get back into the club at 2:34AM on a Sunday night.

Particularly interesting to me this year was the charging of fees for groups to march in the parade. This was met with the predictable outrage but I think there was more foresight here than most were willing to put forth. Because the parade was specifically depending on those marching to fund it the end result was a far less corporate parade. Not to say that the booze, condom, drug, car, bank and insurance companies weren't in full force but the effect was subdued. As somebody who has only been to pride parades in the 00s I felt an extremely heightened sense of community amongst those marching. There was significant support from the religious community including the United Church of Canada, Metropolitan Community Church, Pagans, Unitarians and Anglicans. The United Church and Anglicans were there in huge numbers. Those marching for HIV/AIDS were marching for pointed causes like South Asia, Africa, research or hospice. Having the entire parade spearheaded by those raising awareness of the rights of queers in less fortunate countries was truly progressive, fearless even.

All things being said and done the effect was just right. I left feeling pride, a sort of thankfulness that makes me feel fortunate and proud to live where I am when I am.

Toronto, you are fierce and fearless.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

bookbear.livejournal.com

Sounds like everything I've missed from the parades since the eighties, which is why I haven't been in so long. Sounds like a great time, and an enriching time as well.

shawnsyms.livejournal.com

I'm still sorting through my Pride pics and Pride thoughts. Here is one I quite liked though.

backrubbear.livejournal.com

There was significant support from the religious community

This was probably the single biggest thing that stood out when I was there last year.

boy-london.livejournal.com

fabulous ! I added you to my friends list

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