Tip: Just be yourself. Toronto pride welcomes everyone.
I am fortunate to have gay and lesbian friends in my world. I went to summer school after completing grade 10. I was there for Cantonese. I was a weird teen who loved learning year-round. My high school didn't offer Cantonese, so I travelled across Toronto in July till early August to enrich my language skills.
There was a boy in that class. His nickname was the student. He was quiet and studious.
I ended up being the top student in that class. Yes, I was a bit nerdy back then.
I then pursued Cantonese on Saturdays. I was placed in grade 12 enriched Cantonese. I met up with this boy. He was also in my class. We became friends. We are still friends. We are best friends.
I will always remember him coming out as gay in a rather lengthy phone call. It was tough for him. He wouldn't say that he met a guy. It was "someone" for the longest time. I didn't rush him. An hour later, the pronouns, he and him, came out to describe his love at the time.
I could tell that it was a weight off his shoulders. We have frankly always been comfortable talking about anything. My friend coming out was the toughest conversation that we have ever had to date, but he knew that it was safe for him to let me know. It just took some time.
In graduate school, my two closest peers, now friends, were gay and lesbian. One of them, a Canadian, lived in Rochester, NY at the time. He and his then boyfriend drove up to Toronto for pride celebrations. We had dinner at the Keg one evening. The next night, we headed to Church Street to take in the pride celebrations.
I love that Toronto pride is a celebration of love and acceptance. Everyone is so nice and accepting of everyone. I am straight. I was comfortable and fit right in.
I loved the rainbowed sidewalks and streets that we walked along. My friend found friends that he and his partner hadn't seen in a while. They embraced and kissed openly. It was such a lovely evening seeing couples being who they are, and affirming their love openly and safely.
Church Street was blocked off. Pride is the only time where I can walk down it without enduring crazy drivers driving along it.
It was cool seeing businesses with rainbow flags draped over doors and windows. It was so welcoming and lovely.
None of us took in any parade. I'm sure that the parades would be enjoyable to watch and dance. For some reason, I can picture Andy Bell, half of the British duo, Erasure, attending our pride as an honourary Grand Marshall. He has always been openly gay and an advocate. He is flamboyant and would fit in nicely.
I feel like I'm championing him to be the Grand Marshall. Maybe he could do a mini concert? He would be perfect!
Toronto pride is awesome. I recommend checking it out. It's inclusive and a lot of fun.
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