Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be the first Canadian prime minister to march in the Pride Parade that takes place in Toronto on July 3, 2016. The theme for Pride Toronto 2016 is “You Can Sit With Us” for Canada’s first-ever Pride Month, taking place June 2016. Community leaders, members and artists including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and partner Jane Rounthwaite and Toronto Mayor John Tory took part in a photo shoot to highlight Pride Month and its theme, and to demonstrate our diverse community.
The photo campaign showcases over 300 community members of all ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and ethnicities.
“If a picture is worth 1,000 words, maybe 1,000 pictures has the potential to give a true face to our community. And what a truly diverse and beautiful community we have,’” said Mathieu Chantelois, Pride Toronto Executive Director. “By striking a pose for our camera crew, hundreds took a stand for Pride Toronto, they are telling the world that it’s ok to sit with us, but also to rally, march, celebrate, love and change the world with us.”
Noted personalities in the campaign include:
- Pride Toronto’s 2016 Honoured Group, Black Lives Matter – Toronto
- Ministers of Parliament, Hon. Carolyn Bennett (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs), Julie Dabrusin and Hon. Bill Morneau (Minister of Finance)
- Toronto City Councillors Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Norm Kelly, Mike Layton, Joe Mihevc, Gord Perks and Kristyn Wong-Tam
- Toronto Police Service Chief Mark Saunders
- President Cineplex Media, Salah Bachir
- Trans activists Alex Abramovich and Susan Gapka
- Guinness World Record Holder for Oldest Performing Drag Queen, Michelle DuBarry
- DJs, Deko-ze, Jeremy Khamkeo and Ticky Ty, and Burlesque and Drag performers, Belle Jumelles, Sofonda Cox and Judy Virago
This year’s theme is a play on a line from the 2004 film, Mean Girls. ‘You Can Sit With Us” conveys a message of belonging and inclusion.
Canada’s first-ever Pride Month will feature programming and provocative events throughout the city, with the Pride Parade taking place on July 3, 2016.
If you want to volunteer with Pride Toronto, visit Pride Toronto for details.
#PrideTO
Love all of the photos! Can’t wait for PRIDE 2016!
Wonderful photos and campaign idea!
With all the angry rhetoric in the US now it is refreshing to be reminded of why I am so proud to be Canadian!
I am proud to be Canadian and so happy to see Trudeau attending!
Looks like a lot of great people attending
This makes me happy. Happy to see messages of acceptance and inclusivity being spread!
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