World Pride in Toronto
I was in Toronto last week for a work conference and I was watching the set up for this HUGE event. Now, I've been to Pride celebrations in both Chicago and Vancouver, but this year's Pride in Toronto is epic, and I sure wish I had been there a week later to enjoy it.
I have some friends that are there posting photos, and my daughter and her friends are there likely having an amazing time. I'm definitely a bit envious!
I love Pride! I love the sense of community and belonging that it affords. I love that I can hold my wife's hand without glancing around me to see who's looking. The world is changing slowly, but it's always there in the back of my mind that someone is going to call us on on it...that what we're doing is somehow wrong. To some, Pride is just a colourful, fun, event that is over the top and an excuse to party. To others, it's a reason to be supportive and show support for rights that shouldn't even be in dispute. These are both valid and admirable reasons to go and enjoy. For some though, it is a rare glimpse of being part of something bigger than themselves, something that feels right, and real, and inclusive, and to belong to something that brings people together as people, not just a marginalized group pushing to be accepted. It's a place to be yourself.
Terri and I are heading to Vancouver for Pride in August and I'm excited, but that's still a month away. For those at World Pride this weekend, whatever your reasons, embrace love! It's why we're all here right?
I have some friends that are there posting photos, and my daughter and her friends are there likely having an amazing time. I'm definitely a bit envious!
I love Pride! I love the sense of community and belonging that it affords. I love that I can hold my wife's hand without glancing around me to see who's looking. The world is changing slowly, but it's always there in the back of my mind that someone is going to call us on on it...that what we're doing is somehow wrong. To some, Pride is just a colourful, fun, event that is over the top and an excuse to party. To others, it's a reason to be supportive and show support for rights that shouldn't even be in dispute. These are both valid and admirable reasons to go and enjoy. For some though, it is a rare glimpse of being part of something bigger than themselves, something that feels right, and real, and inclusive, and to belong to something that brings people together as people, not just a marginalized group pushing to be accepted. It's a place to be yourself.
Terri and I are heading to Vancouver for Pride in August and I'm excited, but that's still a month away. For those at World Pride this weekend, whatever your reasons, embrace love! It's why we're all here right?