[URBAN NOTE] Why I Love Toronto on World Pride

[rfmcdonald]

Over in the Tumblrverse, I linked to the Tumblr blog Why I Love Toronto's handy schedule to some noteworthy events during World Pride, starting today.

Canada is known around the world for many things. We are known as country of acceptance, equality and peace as well as one that welcomes the world. Whether we are welcoming the world to live in Canada or for an event like the Olympics we always welcome them with open arms.

This year Toronto has been given the opportunity to host an event that brings with it a message of change and acceptance. World Pride will be hosted in our city this year, welcoming LGBT individuals from around the world to safe city that accepts who they are. It is hard to believe that in this day in age there are parts of the world that have such archaic beliefs on love and that there are people who are denied the right to be who they are and to marry who they love. These individual are sometimes punished for loving someone of the same sex and are imprisoned, harassed or killed. It is a sickening thought, but something that happens. I think it is an honour that the city is hosting an event such as World Pride, even if our Mayor refuses to acknowledge it. We are welcoming the world to a safe place, where they can be who they want to be.

This 10 day celebration starts tomorrow and runs until the big World Pride Parade on Sunday June 29. The event will be a mixture of educational and political events, art festivals, parities and parades. If you walk down Toronto you will notice rainbow colours appearing on crosswalks, food and store front windows. It is also amazing that Toronto is 4th host of this event and is the first city in North America to hold it.

(I recommend the blog, too. It's nice to be reminded of nice things.)