Pride Toronto

2011 Parade Strategy

2010-07-16T16:19:04Z

I’m thinking two Dyke Marches, two Pride Parades.

I saw the Take back the Dyke March. It appeared to go well. Lots of participants, no barricades, no sponsors, music, everyone said whatever they wanted to.

How about a Take Back the Pride Parade for next year, as well? It runs at the same time as the regular parade. No sponsors, no barricades, everyone says whatever they want. It is organized by volunteers, and is not affiliated with Pride Toronto. The sponsors return to Pride Toronto. The City is happy. Government funding is maintained.

What do you think?

First Timer Info

2010-03-31T15:46:15Z

Hello,

Was thinking how great it would be if you had a link on your front page for first timers wanting to attend Toronto Pride. I’ve never been to Toronto. I want to go and be part of this awesome event. I have absolutely no idea where to start. Which hotels are walking distance to the grounds? Or are the festivities so spread apart that there is no such thing as a delimited ground space?

I’ve read lots of info on your site already. I’m having difficulties comprehending the various Festivals you have planned. Are these happening all at the same time over the weekend in various part of town? Where is the best place to go to watch the parade?

I think you get the idea by now of what I mean by first timer info.

QuAIA is disgraceful

2010-04-22T14:53:49Z

To allow Queers Against Israeli Apartheid to march in the parade would be a complete disgrace. This group should not be allowed to use the parade in order to spew their anti-Israel myths.

” Israel today is one of the world’s most progressive countries in terms of equality for sexual minorities. In recent years, Israel has produced more progressive legislation and court decisions in the areas of sexual orientation and gay and lesbian rights than many Western countries. Israel has an active gay community and it is by far the most tolerant Middle Eastern country towards homosexuals.” (http://www.glbt.org.il/contentItems.php?sectionID=673&itemID=606)

Furthermore, an Israeli apartheid does not exist. Wouldn’t it be more effective for the group to support Palestinian democracy in the middle east?

If the group wants to express their political opinions they should do so in another forum it is abusive to use this parade in order to spread their nonsense.

Lodging and Hotels

2010-04-13T14:52:00Z

I am attempting to coordinate a trip with a group of people coming from New York City. None of us have been to Toronto before and would love to hear some suggestions on lodging. We are open to options ranging from hotels to vacation rentals, luxury accommodations to couch surfing.

Since we will not be traveling with a car is there an area that is best to stay which is close to the festivities and the clubs?

Any hotel suggestions?

Is there a website where we might find possible vacation rentals?

Is there a good hostel based in Toronto for the budget travelers?

Thanks for any input you have!
This trip is a celebration of my 30th Birthday - can’t wait to see what Toronto has to offer!

Is Pride REALLY doing their job at working with ‘the community’?

2010-01-19T01:57:47Z

I really feel that Pride Toronto needs to cut the BS, and really get down to business. During pride the VIP area’s are full people who really shouldn’t be in the area. I wonder why they posted a deficit of $138,605 for 2009. WTF? You should focus on the people who this parade is suppose to be about, the LGBT community and not trying to line your pockets with money and become famous. I would love to hear other peoples comments on how Pride Toronto is doing their job at making Pride community based. Seriously!

Calendar of Events

2010-03-22T17:57:47Z

The interim calendar can be found at:

http://www.pridetoronto.com/events/calendar/

WANT TO MARCH IN THE 2010 PRIDE PARADE ?

2010-05-14T12:37:32Z

At the heart of Toronto’s Pride Week stand the members of our LGBTTIQQ2SA communities.

Each year the collective creativity, talents and energy of these communities come together to wow the world. This is YOUR chance to gather a group together and show your Pride.

The 30th annual Pride Parade will be held on Sunday 4th July 2010, starting at 2pm at Bloor & Church

http://www.pridetoronto.com/festival/pride-parade/

Pride reviews strategies for 30th Anniversary

2010-01-25T20:05:54Z

Pride Toronto seeks public input on community engagement, political involvement and corporate participation.
As Pride Toronto prepares for its 30th festival in June 2010 and World Pride in 2014, organizers are reflecting on past years and asking the community to comment on building strategies for the future of the annual event.
Pride Toronto is collecting public views on community involvement and engagement, educational and human rights activities, corporate funding and festival participation, including the involvement of activist political organizations in the festival through a series of outreach activities and a public comment section on their website.
Pride Toronto faced significant pressure to prevent activist political groups not focused on LGBT issues, such as Queers Against Israeli Apartheid, from participating in the 2009 parade. The organization faced equal pressure to protect freedom of expression and allow the participation of as many groups as possible, leading Pride Toronto to seek external advice.
“We turned to our legal counsel and they advised, as a not-for-profit organization, that we were unable to take a position,” said Tracey Sandilands, Executive Director of Pride Toronto. Pride Toronto issued a statement declaring neutrality and an intention to allow participation of any group which properly followed Pride’s application procedures.
“We received complaints about allowing ‘hate speech’ in the parade,” said Sandilands, “but we decided to leave it to the Toronto Police Service to interpret the law. Every year, we rely on the Toronto Police to help us deliver a successful and safe festival, and we are happy to say that their participation and helpfulness has increased over the years.”
With a significant increase in attendance and activities over recent years, Pride has worked diligently to maintain the festival’s connection with the local community, while reaching out to broader audiences. Sandilands says Pride Toronto will use public comment as part of their ongoing process of developing and revising strategies to be published in the coming months.
Visit http://www.pridetoronto.com/forums to offer your comments via our online discussion option

Pride Toronto’s alternative scene now all weekend long

2010-05-14T12:25:17Z

Alterna-Queer, Pride Toronto’s alternative music program, goes big this year with programming at three different locations.

“I’m super excited to be part of the Alterna-Queer growth, and of having the opportunity to showcase both local artists and international talent from around the world.” says Bryen Dunn, Programming Coordinator for Pride Toronto.

The Alterna-Queer Warm-Up Party happens in Toronto’s West Queen West arts district, taking over the Great Hall for the evening of Friday July 2nd. Performances include-Vancouver based new romantic upstart, Lovers Love Haters, and Debora Cohen from The Organ’s newest project. This is also the first opportunity to catch Denmark’s Faggett Fairys for an intimate experience. These gals have ridden the pony to great success in Europe, and it’s now time for North America to get a taste. Rounding out this stellar line up is MEN, featuring the awesomely talented JD Samson (Le Tigre). And of course, the Alterna-Queer warm up wouldn’t be complete without its resident, DJ Triple-X.

On Saturday July 3rd Alterna-Queer takes over the South Stage on Church Street just north of Carlton. Local hip-hop duo Roney & Nani, performance diva Ryan G. Hinds, and electro darling Coko Galore kick off the afternoon in style. Vancouver’s Stink Mitt make a rare appearance strutting white trash rhythms, followed by Toronto’s loudest rock and roll machine Crackpuppy. Later we get our groove on with Toronto’s indie dance favourites Woodhands, followed by an encore performance by MEN. Josie Cotton and her band hit Toronto for their first ever Canadian gig, and ask us and Johnny if we’re queer. Finally, Mistress Barbara LIVE W/ Girls On A Ducati hits a Pride Toronto stage with a special performance and closing out is Fagget Fairys, the electronic queens of Europe and the people behind the hugely successful Trailer Park festival and the ArtRebels festival in Denmark.

Sunday July 4th, Alterna-Queer happens in sunny Alexander Parkette with a solid line up of Toronto’s finest. Starting the day off is sweet sensation duo Airheart, followed by the brassy, in-yer-face, politically incorrect antics of Adolf Glitter and the dark-rave sounds of The Torrent. Tomboyfriend get down with as many performers they can cram on stage while Señor Kasio rock out, and Heavy Filth keep the dirt flying loud and low. People You Know show us how youngings can rawk the party, before Diamond Rings glams up the stage in an amazing solo show followed by labelmate Private Life, featuring the one and only Katie Stelmanis.

Pride Toronto is hoping festival goers will come early and stay late. “We’ve got you covered with a triple shot of Alterna-Queer love,” says Dunn.

If you do any online shopping or get anything shipping from the states…

2010-06-29T19:29:28Z

To shop from the United States, I’ve been using a free package forwarding service from http://www.Viaddress.com for a few months now, and I’m quite satisfied with them… I used them to shop on Amazon.com and Ebay.com and it works great!

The registration is free on http://www.viaddress.com. They provide you with a personal US address that you can use to shop from any US merchant and have Viaddress forward your packages to your country.

If the US merchant does not accept international credit cards, Viaddress can buy the products for you, with no commission fees, then forward the packages to you. You just pay for the shipping fees.