Toronto celebrates Gay Pride for a full week in late June (June 19 through June 28, in 2009), in part to honor what many consider to be one of the foremost events in the history of lesbian and gay rights, New York City's Stonewall Riots, which commenced early in the morning on June 28, 1969. One of North America's leading gay destinations, Toronto has been holding Pride observances since '70s, and events have been held annually here since 1981. These days, Toronto Pride's most prominent event, the Pride Parade, draws more than 1.2 million spectators and participants annually, making it one of the top such draws in the world. The key Toronto Gay Pride events take place in the city's Church Street area, around the intersection with Wellesley Street
Shop for rooms and compare rates at hotels in Toronto during Gay Pride
Many major cities around the world host their Gay Pride Celebrations around this same time, among them Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, Santa Fe, and Seattle.
Note that from June 12 through June 21, 2009, a newer alternative (now in its fifth year) to Toronto Gay Pride, the Queer West Fest, takes place in the city's eclectic and arsty Queer West Village, in the city's West End, centered largely along Queen Street West, in the 1100 through 1700 blocks. The organizers of Queer West Fest bill their 10-day event as "an alternative! Less corporate! More grassroots All Queer!" response to the more commercialized Toronto Gay Pride events in Church Street Gay Village. Of course, there's no reason you can't come to Toronto and try out both events and both neighborhoods.
The official Pride Toronto Gay Pride Week in 2009 comprises a series of parties an events, including a Kick-Off Launch Party on Friday, June 19, at the popular Church Street gay bar Woody's (467 Church St.); and a Pride Toronto Gala and Awards on Wednesday night, June 24.
The Pride 2009 Community Street Fair and Marketplace runs throughout Pride Weekend. This is a showcase for hundreds of artists, retailers, community organizations, food vendors, and more. It takes place right in the heart of the Gay Village, along Church Street and intersecting Wellesley Street East, and it runs from 11 am until 8 pm.
Family Pride takes place on the grounds of Church Street Junior Public School over both days of Pride Weekend; activities includes crafts, games, children's entertainment, a picnic on Saturday, and family brunch on Sunday.
The much-anticipated Toronto Dyke March is held on Saturday, June 27, at 2 pm. It begins on Church and Hayden streets and continues west along Bloor, south down Yonge, east on Wood, and back up part of Church Street.
The festival culminates on Sunday, June 28, at 2 pm, with the Toronto Gay Pride Parade, a hugely attended procession that commences at the intersection of Bloor Street East and Church Street. It then heads west to Yonge Street, south to Gerrard Street, and east back to Church Street (here's a map of the parade route). Participants are eligible for a number of parade awards, from "most fabulous costumes" to "most fabulous hat" to "most fabulous choreography" - there's a lot of fabulousness going on.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as Xtra Toronto, for details. For more comprehensive information on visiting the city, check out the excellent GLBT travel site produced by Toronto Tourism.
