Pride in Toronto

[cheapmeister]

So does rfd support pride? Do any of it's affiliate's? Any rfder's attending? Are they doing anything new or different this year, or is it going to be the same old, same old? Is this going to be on tv?

[IamToronto]

So does rfd support pride? Do any of it's affiliate's? Any rfder's attending? Are they doing anything new or different this year, or is it going to be the same old, same old? Is this going to be on tv?

no.

(i will keep it at that to avoid getting political)

[Kris81]

I support Pride, but I don't support the Pride parade taking place during Canada Day weekend the last couple of years. They should do a Canada Day parade, and move pride the weekend before or after.

[Sauerkraut]

Uh Oh. Based on the past few year's Pride threads, this is not going to end well.

[Simaahoy]

I think most people will be bashed about their personal views on this subject.:(

[Syne]

Pride in having overcome extreme prejudice and spreading awareness of alternate sexual orientations? Sure

Pride in being flamboyant and disruptive and sexually brazen in public? No

[Syne]

Honestly, I don't have an ax to grind here. Just be mindful of the already congested Toronto traffic and I'll be fine.

People have places to be, that's all.

[Drew87]

Pride in having overcome extreme prejudice and spreading awareness of alternate sexual orientations? Sure

Pride in being flamboyant and disruptive and sexually brazen in public? No

I don't agree with the majority of Syne's posts but this was one is hard for me not to agree with....

[Dina_E]

secret rob ford thread.


get over it, hes not coming, he has a family.

[wilsonlam97]

I support Pride, but I don't support the Pride parade taking place during Canada Day weekend the last couple of years. They should do a Canada Day parade, and move pride the weekend before or after.

Yeah that's probably the only thing I dislike abt it. Other then that I don't mind whatsoever.

[nalababe]

Most definitely!

And I think Canada Day is a perfect day for it. One of the great things about this country is that people's of all races, religions, orientations are equal as citizens. celebrate!!

And if reveling is a bit extreme, so what. Celebrations are always over the top. As long as people are not hurt, so what. Along as property is not damaged, so what.

A bit of nudity, sexuality....good For them. Glad they don't have hang ups.

[gizmo8]

should not be on the same weekend as Canada day.....gives Ford a reason not to attend....I love his fiscal position but really to get votes he should attend...I like Ford he doesnt kiss butt for votes like some other city hall wannbe mayor who shall not be nameless but starts with the letter S..

[BornRuff]

I support Pride, but I don't support the Pride parade taking place during Canada Day weekend the last couple of years. They should do a Canada Day parade, and move pride the weekend before or after.

Has Toronto ever had a Canada Day Parade on Yonge?

There are literally dozens of things going on around Toronto to celebrate Canada Day, even a parade in East York. There are concerts and events at almost every public square.


Pride in having overcome extreme prejudice and spreading awareness of alternate sexual orientations? Sure

Pride in being flamboyant and disruptive and sexually brazen in public? No

Nobody complains about it when it is women dancing around in very little clothing for Caribana. People need to chill out about this.

[Nurse2B]

Pride in having overcome extreme prejudice and spreading awareness of alternate sexual orientations? Sure

Pride in being flamboyant and disruptive and sexually brazen in public? No

This.

[Nurse2B]

Has Toronto ever had a Canada Day Parade on Yonge?

There are literally dozens of things going on around Toronto to celebrate Canada Day, even a parade in East York. There are concerts and events at almost every public square.



Nobody complains about it when it is women dancing around in very little clothing for Caribana. People need to chill out about this.

There are men walking around with their junk fully exposed at Pride.. I've seen pictures. Very different from women dancing around at Caribana.

[ishfish]

I suspect that part of the definition of every parade is that it blocks traffic.

Flamboyant and sexually brazen? Good, it would be a dull parade without a bit of both. A parade without flamboyance is just a bunch of people out for a walk.

Attend, don't attend - great to have choices.

[nalababe]

There are men walking around with their junk fully exposed at Pride.. I've seen pictures. Very different from women dancing around at Caribana.

Not really....Carribana is also overtly sexual. Just because they there is a small amount of cloth does not change the message or eroticism.

So what if a guy is naked...do you freak out at the gym? Do you or will you be uptight if your kid sees you naked.

Kids don't care...its only adults that get freaked out, are bothered, are shy, are repressed, cannot handle it.

[flyinggonzo]

Not really....Carribana is also overtly sexual. Just because they there is a small amount of cloth does not change the message or eroticism.

So what if a guy is naked...do you freak out at the gym? Do you or will you be uptight if your kid sees you naked.

Kids don't care...its only adults that get freaked out, are bothered, are shy, are repressed, cannot handle it.

Yup. I enjoy going to both events but feel safer at Pride.

Frankly, I feel that it's pretty cool that one city can have both events.

[sandikosh]

The way the participants behave in the parade, they should rename it to SHAME!

[Nurse2B]

Not really....Carribana is also overtly sexual. Just because they there is a small amount of cloth does not change the message or eroticism.

So what if a guy is naked...do you freak out at the gym? Do you or will you be uptight if your kid sees you naked.

Kids don't care...its only adults that get freaked out, are bothered, are shy, are repressed, cannot handle it.

Well, to each their own. I'm far from having children but if I did, I'm not sure I'd want them exposed to that small part of Pride. Otherwise, I'm all for it!

[BornRuff]

There are men walking around with their junk fully exposed at Pride.. I've seen pictures. Very different from women dancing around at Caribana.


Not really....Carribana is also overtly sexual. Just because they there is a small amount of cloth does not change the message or eroticism.

So what if a guy is naked...do you freak out at the gym? Do you or will you be uptight if your kid sees you naked.

Kids don't care...its only adults that get freaked out, are bothered, are shy, are repressed, cannot handle it.

+1

Not to mention that in the times I have been to pride, I have never actually seen a naked dude in person. I've seen topless men and women, and people in some pretty revealing stuff, but never really anything beyond what you see at something like Caribana. Some people do take it a bit further, but it is not what the average person is going to see if they go down there.

[DrXenon]

As someone on this forum said last year, deviants celebrating deviance. If I walked down the street with my junk hanging out, I would get arrested.

[tsxnation]

Pride in having overcome extreme prejudice and spreading awareness of alternate sexual orientations? Sure

Pride in being flamboyant and disruptive and sexually brazen in public? No

This is word for word what I would say and what I have said to people in the past.

[nalababe]

As someone on this forum said last year, deviants celebrating deviance. If I walked down the street with my junk hanging out, I would get arrested.

You can also be arrested for being absolutely hammered in public...but on new years no one really cares. The point is that it is a once a year event...so what.

I'm glad we have this great festival.
I am glad our Anglican Church actively participates...

[macy69]

I support Pride, but I don't support the Pride parade taking place during Canada Day weekend the last couple of years. They should do a Canada Day parade, and move pride the weekend before or after.

Toronto has had a Canada Day parade for many years. Brimley Rd from STC to Thompson Park.

You need to get out more, not every event revolves around the downtown core.

[kindred_99]

People need to chill out. While I have never been I am not against it and have seen clips on tv that naturally show the most outrageous parts of the parade. Like with any event like this I am sure that some people go overboard and while the public nudity isn't the best foot to put forward it is likely very rare and something that a few people do for attention, it shouldn't sully the whole thing any more than a shooting at Caribana does. Caribana has its good qualities but a few idiots doing something illegal shouldn't ruin it for everyone else. Its easy to come here and talk about seeing someone's junk or use buzz words like shame and deviance, the same people don't bat an eyelash when its topless women or straight people being deviant. This is a diverse city and someone else mentioned here it is nice that we have so many different types of events in the city, not to mention the amount of money it brings in. Nobody is being forced to go, its a huge city I'm sure there are plenty of other things to do.

[pupazzo]

One time my cumpare's friend went and he got sexually assaulted in the bushes.

[kindred_99]

One time my cumpare's friend went and he got sexually assaulted in the bushes.

Why was he in the bushes?

[olssy]

One time my cumpare's friend went and he got sexually assaulted in the bushes.

And then he told all his friends about it who then told their friends? Sorry, but I don't buy it for one second.

[Syne]

People need to chill out. While I have never been I am not against it and have seen clips on tv that naturally show the most outrageous parts of the parade. Like with any event like this I am sure that some people go overboard and while the public nudity isn't the best foot to put forward it is likely very rare and something that a few people do for attention, it shouldn't sully the whole thing any more than a shooting at Caribana does. Caribana has its good qualities but a few idiots doing something illegal shouldn't ruin it for everyone else. Its easy to come here and talk about seeing someone's junk or use buzz words like shame and deviance, the same people don't bat an eyelash when its topless women or straight people being deviant. This is a diverse city and someone else mentioned here it is nice that we have so many different types of events in the city, not to mention the amount of money it brings in. Nobody is being forced to go, its a huge city I'm sure there are plenty of other things to do.

It's also a huge grid that people have to navigate through if they want to get from Point A to Point B to do all of those other things.

[kindred_99]

It's also a huge grid that people have to navigate through if they want to get from Point A to Point B to do all of those other things.

I get that but if that's the case then we shouldn't have any festivals or events unless they take place on public property. I don't like when people single out one event like this. The shut down streets for Caribana, Taste of the Danforth and every other parade throughout the year. As long as things are organized, planned in advance and police are present to keep the peace and make sure people and more importantly emergency services can get around if necessary it is no more inconvenient than any other event or road closure.

[boblobob]

It's also a huge grid that people have to navigate through if they want to get from Point A to Point B to do all of those other things.

this is the route:

http://www.pridetoronto.com/images/uploads/Parade_Route.jpg

I'd be interested to hear how this route inconveniences people?

Personally, I can't think of any significant retailers or service providers along Yonge between Gerrard and Bloor. The Church of Scientology, a couple of Starbucks, a Shoppers Drug Mart, some luggage stores, and the Brass Rail come to mind. Frankly, it has to be one of the least attractive stretches of Yonge Street architecturally.

Regardless, subways run underneath, transit runs all around, roads remain open around the route. If someone absolutely has to be at a location in the middle of a parade, is it that difficult for able-bodied people to park at one of the many surrounding green p / private lots and walk a little? Parade starts at 2pm, most retailers are closed on Canada Day, and I can't recall the parade lasting that long anyway once it gets started.

[kindred_99]

removed

Sounds like those preachers and Westboro Baptist Church people, condemning everyone. They are always obsessed with the sodomy part of it, I don't get that. You do realize that straight people partake in that activity too right? Thankfully you don't get to choose where taxes are spent and at the end of the day they bring in a whole boatload more in taxes than are spent. I really don't get the hate. Pride, Caribana, St Patrick's Day, etc, let people enjoy themselves and let the city make money. People complain that the city is boring and that they have no money yet they want to stop events that help both cases. Lets leave the sodomy in the bedroom, quite possibly yours.

[aplayaz2000]

going to move to Montreal when it's the pride day

then come back to Toronto after the pride day

[kindred_99]

removed

Ok, now say something racist about Caribana. Or do you just pick on certain minorities?

What does it say about people that have this kind of attitude? They are the same ones that get off on girl-on-girl porn, you do know what that is right?

[pupazzo]

removed.


removed

This is hate speech. Both of you should be in jail.

[BornRuff]

How is this thread not closed yet? Seems like just homophobic flame baiting at this point.

[boblobob]

going to move to Montreal when it's the pride day

then come back to Toronto after the pride day

a lot of effort to avoid 1.9km of parade route . . ..

[boblobob]

How is this thread not closed yet? Seems like just homophobic flame baiting at this point.

Makes one wonder if it is 2012 or not . . ..

[kamilio]

Pride is disgusting. I am pro gay marriage and pro alternative sexual orientations but the parade is disgusting and in bad taste. It makes me want to gag and puke.

[kindred_99]

Something tells me if there was a Playboy or Hooter's parade with the exact same content only instead featured big breasted women in the same level of undress doing the same things as in the Pride parade there would be a record (male) turnout with nobody complaining about morals, closed streets or bringing their children.

[kindred_99]

removed

I think you're missing the point. These are meant to be celebrations, parties, entertainment events. They are not solemn occasions they are festivals. I don't know where you're hanging out but I think the packages hanging out is an exaggeration. The fact is that people are allowed to wear thongs and speedos in public and nobody cares. They only have a problem when its gay men, if it was a woman walking down the street with pasties up top and a piece of string and a gum wrapper covering her private parts everyone would be gawking and not complaining.

Your comments on the dancing and comparing them to ********** are extremely distasteful, regardless of your background. If you (or others like you) have such a problem about seeing someone's junk or someone in very little clothing how do you watch UFC, the Olympics, etc?

[Syne]

Just as a point of order here. This isn't Europe. Men do not wear Speedos in N. American culture for any reason at any time. I can guarantee you, Pride or no Pride, if a man, gay or straight were to walk around downtown wearing a thong or Speedos, people would gape and be offended.

That's not discrimination against gay ppl, just people who deliberately dress for negative attention.

A good rule of thumb here, is if you wouldn't normally dress a certain way for conventional reasons, you probably shouldn't do it at Pride.

[Siskie]

Do I support the event? Yes, because it brings a lot of money to Toronto in the form of revenue for businesses.

Will I go to any events? No, because I can't stand getting harassed by gay men. IMHO, its ten times worse than a straight man going after a straight woman.