Pride parades around the world have grown into massive, colourful celebrations of 2SLGBTQ+ joy. While we love that many see Pride as a fun party, we at RFF also feel it is important to acknowledge the history of how Pride came to be.
The Pride parade can be traced back to the Stonewall Riots in June 1969. The Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, was raided by the police, leading to several nights of protests and clashes between the 2SLGBTQ+ community and law enforcement.
In commemoration of the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the Christopher Street Liberation Day March was organized in New York City on June 28, 1970. This event, which included a parade and rally, marked the first Gay Pride March in U.S. history.
The Toronto Pride Parade specifically can be traced back to the 1981 Bathhouse Raids. In February 1981, the Toronto police conducted Operation Soap, a series of raids on several gay bathhouses in the city, leading to the arrest of over 300 men. The humiliation and outing of these men by police sparked outrage and protests across the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Toronto’s first unofficial Pride parade came a month later in response this and other incidents of police harassment of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. 10 years later, Toronto officially changed the name of this annual parade to that of a Pride parade.
Many social movements have been birthed and led by those most marginalized, often trans folks of colour. This was particularly true in the case of the Stonewall Riots. We support Pride Toronto and Pride parades around the world in continuing the work of ensuring that Pride is for everyone. We support an intersectional Pride that acknowledges the diversity of experience that comes from varying ages, abilities, genders, classes, races, faith, and other identities.
Rainbow Faith and Freedom will be marching and holding a booth at Pride Toronto this year to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ joy. We know that a considerable amount of homophobia and transphobia stems from misguided religion. RFF is working to ensure that all 2SLGBTQ+ folks can celebrate with their faith communities and that religious-based homophobia and transphobia is reduced for the whole 2SLGBTQ+ community.
If you would like to march with us at this year’s Pride parade or help us with our booth over the June 23rd - 25th weekend we’d love to have you join us. Fill out this form to get involved!