Canada: Toronto celebrates 40th Annual Virtual Pride Parade

Being true to their political roots to reflect their community and honour LGTBQ+ courageous past, the Virtual Pride Parade remained vigilant to the ongoing needs of the community and highlighted issues, challenging conventions, supporting our community, and promoting safety.

The one-hour online stream featured politicians – including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – along with city councilors and Mayor John Tory, as well as a number of companies who participated to show their support and celebrate the LGTBQ+ community. The show also featured artists like Allie X, DJ Kow, Gary Beals, iskwē, and Nathan Nichols.

Priyanka, the winner of the first season of Canada’s Drag Race, played host to the event online and said that Pride is about celebration and about dancing and this is the portion of the show where all  LGTBQ+ community gets to dance together and celebrate fighting for their equal rights and just be themselves in having a good time and supporting each other.

The organizers said this year’s focus was to find the best way to honour the history and highlight key Toronto talent and the foster community.

"We are excited to be commemorating our 40th Anniversary by sharing our story through digital content and by showcasing our heroes, our Elders, of the Toronto Queer and Trans communities, " said Sherwin Modest and The Board of Directors of Pride Parade in their executive statement.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)