Photo credit: Global News
Toronto’s annual Pride Parade took place Sunday, drawing crowds of partygoers as the city simultaneously basks in FIFA World Cup 2026 excitement.
Global News reports that Prime Minister Mark Carney joined the parade briefly with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow shaking hands and taking selfies with the roaring crowds lining Yonge Street.
As he marched, Carney goaded revellers wielding water guns to drench him. The prime minister stumbled back as he was sprayed with water, feigning injury, and he continued the rest of the march, hair wet and pink shirt soaked through.
For festival goer Chris Collins, it’s been exciting to see the growth of queer acceptance over the decades he’s attended Pride. Sunday’s festivities were a far cry from when Collens used to sneak out of the house for the event.
“Pride was kind of a protest for equality, people would lose their jobs because they were gay (and) lesbian,” Collens said of growing up in the early 2000s, back when he hid his queer identity.
For TL Sunderland, who attended Toronto Pride for the first time on Sunday, the day was about honouring themselves and the friends they have lost.
Growing up in a religious household, Sutherland, who is non-binary, said it has been hard to live as their authentic self. Recently, they lost a friend to suicide.
Organizers said this year’s theme is “We Won’t Stop,” reminding participants of the fights and victories behind rights and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.
