pride toronto highlights

Pride Toronto is hands-down the best party of the year in this city and one of the biggest Pride festivals in the world. This year I started off the weekend by dragging myself out of bed bright and early on Saturday for the 5km Pride and Remembrance run with the University of Toronto Pacer Bunnies team. It looks like we placed 4th overall — nice running everyone!

The parade on Sunday was over-the-top super fun as it always is. Somehow TD Bank managed to snap up a bunch of hot go-go girls and boys for their corporate contingent, which left me wondering if I should instead pursue a career in banking.

The Bears By Nature group had a great float in the parade with a full-on bear den guarded by some of the papa bears. Grrrr!!!

My favorite float was from the National Gay Pilots Association: they rocked out on a giant glittery airplane while scantily clad air men and women danced all the way down Yonge Street together.

I was really happy and proud to see the Canadian Forces participate in Pride Toronto for the first time.

The Hamilton Pride committee put on a ridiculous display and banned their participation this year, but the Forces were very well received in Toronto and their contingent definitely attracted the largest cheers from the crowd. Thankfully, Canadian military policy puts Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to shame.

My friend Jodie and I took Pride weekend as an opportunity to put on our Sunday best. Don’t let those shy, innocent smiles fool you. We discovered that wearing fetish gear in public places attracts a seriously high amount of attention. Go figure.

It was also Pride weekend at my old stomping grounds in Seattle. My friend Jorge reports a spiritual experience with the Flying Spaghetti Monster after being touched by His Noodly Appendage!

More photos and larger versions available here.