The 2011 Toronto Pride parade brought over one million babies, bears and puppies (and everything in between)
We do want fries with this shake. (Image: Stephen Weppler)
The 2011 Pride parade is over, and as the beer cups, sequins and other miscellany are cleared off Yonge, Church and beyond, we can’t help but think how successful this year’s event was. Over a million people attended the end-of-the-weekend to-do, despite Rob Ford politicking and a cut in funding. Included in the proud, willing, not-cottage-dwelling gays were interior designer and Casey House advocate Tommy Smythe , hot topic and gay-straight alliance booster Leanne Iskander (who acted as the parade’s grand marshal), former mayor David Miller (sporting one of those controversial rainbows ), and many—many—Rob Ford look-alikes. See our full gallery of Pride 2011 highlights after the jump.
The highly contentious Queers Against Israeli Apartheid group made an appearance, but not in the actual parade. The QuAIA draped a large banner above the Wellesley subway station that read “Support Palestinian Queers—Boycott Israeli Tourism,” and there’s no telling what kind of backlash will occur, if any (but we suppose when Ford returns from his gravy cottage boat trip, we’ll hear some sort of “I told you so”). With such a big turnout from the straight, gay, lesbian and transgendered communities (worldwide), Pride, as it typically does, provided a huge boost to the city’s economy (no figures just yet, but if everyone spent, let’s say, $5, that’s a cool $5 million). Add to that an unending display of people just, well, having a great time (and actually supporting one another), and there’s no doubt in our minds that Toronto Pride is a really great thing for everyone under the rainbow.
See the Pride 2011 slideshow »
78084 The masked avenger (check out that smile). (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride-3/ pride-3 0 0
78085 Ballads were sung and the audience weeped, wooed, and then walked on. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride2.jpg 624 937 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride2/ pride2 0 0
78086 More underwear as pants. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride3/ pride3 0 0
78087 We weren’t entirely sure what to make of this. But it sure is bright. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride4/ pride4 0 0
78088 The bombshells (and, evidently, beauty pageant winners) (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride5.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride5/ pride5 0 0
78089 This outfit looked really hard to get into. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride6.jpg 624 936 {"copyright":"Stephen Weppler"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride6/ pride6 0 0
78090 This tutu made her a must-see of the weekend. Move over, Natalie Portman. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride7.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride7/ pride7 0 0
78091 A happy puppy watches the walking masses—it’s not only obedient, but inclusive. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride8.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride8/ pride8 0 0
78092 Cyclists in support of Aids research (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride9.jpg 624 936 {"copyright":"Stephen Weppler"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride9/ pride9 0 0
78093 What would Pride weekend be without a good show or two? Pedestrians took in drag show after drag show, and we couldn’t get enough of the fun. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride10.jpg 624 936 {"copyright":"Stephen Weppler"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride10/ pride10 0 0
78094 Welcome to Sonic. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride11.jpg 624 416 {"copyright":"Stephen Weppler"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride11/ pride11 0 0
78095 Bluebeard and someone who looks like Bryce Dallas Howard. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride12.jpg 624 936 {"copyright":"Stephen Weppler"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride12/ pride12 0 0
78096 A strapping leatherman. The gang was truly all here. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride13.jpg 624 936 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride13/ pride13 0 0
78170 We love the go-big-or-go-home attitude of some Pride participants. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride14/ pride14 0 0
78171 Some people felt obligated to spell out their orientation on branded tank tops. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride15.jpg 683 1024 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride15/ pride15 0 0
78172 Two amazing skirts. One for each gender. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride16/ pride16 0 0
78173 Everything’s bigger in Toronto. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride17.jpg 624 936 {"copyright":"Stephen Weppler"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride17/ pride17 0 0
78174 A view of the action. Over one million people attended Pride 2011. (Image: Stephen Weppler) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride18/ pride18 0 0
78175 Toronto’s very own Cleopatra. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride19.jpg 624 416 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride19/ pride19 0 0
78176 Rainbows were not banned on the streets of Toronto on Pride weekend. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride20.jpg 624 831 {"credit":"Kyle W. Anstey","caption":"2011 Toronto Gay Pride Parade","created_timestamp":"1309651200","copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey","title":"Toronto Pride 2011"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/toronto-pride-2011/ toronto-pride-2011 0 0
78177 Kate Middleton, is that you? (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride21.jpg 624 831 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride21/ pride21 0 0
78178 A shock of colour gets the Daily Bread Food Bank’s message to the masses. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride22.jpg 624 469 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride22/ pride22 0 0
78179 A feather headdress and glitter, and it isn’t Ke$ha. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride23.jpg 624 831 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride23/ pride23 0 0
78180 A quick adjustment. If you’ve got ’em, flaunt ’em. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride24.jpg 624 831 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride24/ pride24 0 0
78181 Who doesn’t love a man in uniform? (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride25.jpg 624 499 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride25/ pride25 0 0
78182 Depending on how you feel about clowns, this could be amazing or terrifying. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride26.jpg 624 469 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride26/ pride26 0 0
78183 Underwear isn’t pants, but we like the message. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride27.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride27.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride27.jpg 624 469 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride27/ pride27 0 0
78184 We loved this trio’s daring use of colour, and how Pride provides us with an opportunity to lose our inhibitions. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/pride28.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/pride28.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/pride28.jpg 624 469 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride28/ pride28 0 0
78185 Someone graciously brought a phone so we could call loved ones who couldn’t make it. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride29.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride29.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride29.jpg 624 469 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride29/ pride29 0 0
78186 When one boa just isn’t enough. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride30.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride30.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride30.jpg 624 831 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride30/ pride30 0 0
78187 We can only hope to be this glamorous when we get older. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride31.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride31.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride31.jpg 624 469 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride31/ pride31 0 0
78188 Visitors from the future graced Toronto Pride with their presence. This one had the foresight to bring an umbrella. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride32.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride32.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride32.jpg 624 831 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride32/ pride32 0 0
78189 Some attendees brought signs—likely because they lost their voices from a weekend of screaming. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride33.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride33.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride33.jpg 624 469 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride33/ pride33 0 0
78190 There are no crowns of thorns at Pride. Just crowns of purple penises. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride34.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride34.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride34.jpg 624 469 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride34/ pride34 0 0
78191 Evidently Rob Ford <em>was</em> in attendance. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride35.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride35.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride35.jpg 624 469 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride35/ pride35 0 0
78192 In case we weren’t sure. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride36.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride36.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride36.jpg 624 416 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride36/ pride36 0 0
78193 There are no rules when it comes to dressing up for Pride. Just ask this woman, who’s wearing the hot pairing of sunburn and plastic wrap. (Image: Kyle Anstey) Toronto Pride 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride37.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride37.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pride37.jpg 624 936 {"copyright":"2011 Kyle W. Anstey"} https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-pride-parade-2011/slide/pride37/ pride37 0 0
this parade has gotten too big for the downtown area too many people