The Pride of Toronto

Pride TO is one of my most favorite annual events and it makes me a very proud Torontonian to know our City dedicates such an incredible day to recognize the people and the protest that it represents. Over a number of years, it has become a special time of celebration for our whole family, even my quiet and reserved husband, George. Almost better than Christmas, it is a time when everyone shares an infectious kind of celebratory energy making the day more joyful and, one where everyone is just a little bit nicer to each other, regardless of any differences. If you've never gone, go. You won't regret it but you'll have to wait until next year now that it's over.

I love how everyone can be so authentically themselves while maybe even pushing their own limits grow and be a bit more outrageous than their normal comfort zone allows. To some that I have met, that means just showing up to check out the event and for others, it can be walking down the street with just a smile - literally.

I started to attend every year to support customers and teammates from work and it was a few years ago that an incredible advocate for community and a guru in Government Relations, Justin Vandette who, despite lack of funding that would warrant a spot in the parade or booth on the side, found a way to get some representation of our industry by recruiting volunteers - like me - to hand out rainbow stickers while joining in with the crowds as they walk along Church Street. It was a start.

Fast forward to the 2023 Pride Parade held on Sunday, and I was wonderfully surprised to see Fitzrovia with an entire booth on Church Street filled with revelers of all kinds, a DJ Booth, bouncy castle, complementary refreshments face be-dazzlers and dancers on the hour (not to mention the amazingly thoughtful and comfortable seating for the tired parade goer).

The brand and customer experience nerd in me could not help but admire how cleverly they wove in genuine sentiments about their beliefs in community and social inclusion while humbly showing off their available locations to rent and live. I think this skyline of all their communities converted to a message board of what "Pride at Home Means..." is a prefect example. Kudos to Ryan Funt and his team who put together this little oasis of fun amidst the revelry. Thank you for the invite to visit and I am excited to see what you will do to top this year's booth, next year.

Speaking of next June, I think there are at least 10 different developers represented on the parade route and it begs to have more participation from the development industry that is all about building community across our diverse City. It would not just be a great thing to do but the right thing to do and I look forward to seeing who joins this amazing party, protest, extravaganza, next. Looking forward to Pride 2024.

Check out this great CBC video on the first Pride Parade in TO. Worth watching.