[URBAN NOTE] On Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's upcoming attendance at Pride Toronto

[rfmcdonald]

This is big news. From blogTO:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed today he'll be marching in this year's Pride Parade in Toronto. It's no surprise he'll be attending but it is significant - Trudeau will become the first Prime Minister to ever participate in the festivities.

In 2015, Trudeau made his presence known at Pride when, as leader of the Liberal Party prior to the federal election, he dressed in a pink shirt and white pants and hammed it up in front of large crowds and cameras alongside Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Joe. My. God. shared the Pride Toronto press release.

Pride Toronto, the city’s most vibrant and inclusive arts and cultural festival and North America’s largest Pride celebration, unveiled today its 2016 Pride Month theme, announcing to the world that this June, “YOU CAN SIT WITH US.”

The campaign for Canada’s first-ever Pride Month, features Canada’s top political leaders: noted “sexiest man alive” and “politician dreamboat” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, openly out Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and partner Jane Rounthewaite and Toronto Mayor John Tory who will all participate in this year’s festivities in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Pride Toronto’s 2016 Parade will make Canadian history, with Justin Trudeau participating as Canada’s first ever sitting Prime Minister to march, alongside leadership from both Toronto’s municipal and Ontario’s provincial governments.

Torontoist's Erica Lenti emphasized the broader political context.

For the first time in Toronto’s history, Canada’s prime minster, Ontario’s premier, and the city’s mayor will participate in Pride festivities.

Pride Toronto unveiled today that Justin Trudeau, Kathleen Wynne (along with partner Jane Rounthewaite), and John Tory will attend the festivities on July 3. Trudeau’s participation will make the first time an incumbent prime minister will march in the parade.

The news comes after four years of former mayor Rob Ford skipping Pride in favour of a cottage weekend, and nine years of Stephen Harper avoiding the event for his entire run as prime minister.

Other attendees at this year’s events include Police Chief Mark Saunders, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett, 6ix dad @norm, and Black Lives Matter Toronto, who are this year’s honoured group.