It is a perfect representation of our city’s values, Mayor John Tory said at the Pride flag raising ceremony.
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After a two-year hiatus, get out you glitter and water guns because the Toronto Pride parade is back.
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On Sunday starting at 2 pm, a million people can watch in person the 200 contingents and over 200,000 marchers for the 41st Pride Parade.
The Pride Parade celebrates diversity and creating an inclusive experience for all.
It is a perfect representation of our city’s values, Mayor John Tory said at the Pride flag raising ceremony.
“It’s diversity, it’s celebration of diversity, it’s commitment to respect and inclusion,” he said.
“As major, I am proud to support pride and our 2SLGBTQ+ community. I encourage Torontonians to attend the various events throughout the month and celebrate Pride, which is back in full swing and in-person for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The first Pride event was a protest where gays clashed with police.
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Toronto has come a long way since the first Pride march in 1981 — a protest sparked by bathhouse raids by hundreds of officers. The raids were viewed as homophobic and an assault on democracy, prompting thousands of gay people to hit the streets.
In the early 80s — long before corporate Canada started lining up to sponsor the parade — there were tents in the park behind the 519 where organizers would pour “no-name beer” in private as no company wanted to be associated with the event.
RouteDescription: Starting at Bloor and Church Sts., the parade will head west then turn south on Yonge St., ending at Yonge-Dundas Square.
Pride Parade Route requiring Full Road closures on June 26th, 2022:
Bloor St. E, Between Yonge St. and Ted Rogers Way
(Noon to 6pm)
Yonge St., Between Bloor St. East and Queen St. East
(12:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Dundas St. E, between Yonge St. and Church St.
(12:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Victoria St., between Dundas St. East and Shuter St.
(12:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Church St. will be closed for a street fair this entire weekend from Bloor to Dundas Sts.