The 2011 Toronto Pride parade brought over one million babies, bears and puppies (and everything in between)
By Kevin Naulls |
By Kevin Naulls |

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