Pride will be celebrated virtually in Toronto this year

May 1 2020, 4:52 pm

Pride Toronto has announced that, in lieu of its annual Pride Festival Weekend in June, this year’s celebrations will run virtually.

At the end of March, the City of Toronto announced that all major events, through to the end of June, were cancelled. This included Pride festivities, and Pride Toronto confirmed this at the time.

But the team has been adapting to the changing circumstances.

Virtual Pride will come to Toronto in June as a new, creative way to celebrate. One that prioritizes the safety of participants.

The Rainbow and Transgender Pride Flag will still be raised in Toronto at the start of June, and for the month, digital programming will run that showcases the best of what the city has to offer.

On June 1, in collaboration with local virtual party trailblazers Club Quarantine, you’re invited to log into the online gala FEEEYASS!

Think, warehouse parties and old-school glam with FEEEYASS drag queens and avant-garde spectators, from the comfort of home. House anthems and ballroom beats will boom from Montreal native and Toronto’s own DJ Sandy Duperval and THE Ballroom icon — DJ Vjuan Allure.

Dress to impress, and sign in for a fabulous time.

The ongoing celebration will feature a lineup of DJs, performers, drag artists, singers, and dancers; shining a concentrated spotlight on women in music and BIPOC artists.

The series will be highlighting local collectives, artists, makers, and performers, some of whom have been part of Pride Toronto for over 20 years.

“Our virtual festival will be our best representation of what you would have experienced on our physical footprint, with a heavy focus on implementing visual arts and community-focused programming,” Pride Toronto said in a release.

And, last but not least, an Online Pride Parade is scheduled for June 28 at 2 pm.

“COVID-19 won’t stop us from continuing to create space for everyone to express who they truly are. The Virtual Pride Parade will stay true to our political roots and reflect our community. We will honour our courageous past, celebrating how far we have come and will remain vigilant to the ongoing needs of our community,” Pride Toronto said.

“We will help bring issues to light, challenge convention, support our community, and promote safety.”

To spread pride throughout your neighbourhood, you’re encouraged to fly a flag from your balcony, raise a flag in your window or hang one in your doorway.

For updates and more information, visit the Virtual Pride Website.

Kayla GladyszKayla Gladysz

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