With the recent and momentous US Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage — allowing the same benefits given to heterosexuals to gay married couples — there is special reason to celebrate gay pride globally in 2013.
Originating in New York City. the gay pride parade has sparked similar marches for gay pride worldwide ever since the first march in Greenwich Village in the early 1970's that publicly called for urgent attention to equal rights for the LGBT community.
Milestone Events
This year's gay pride celebrations unofficially mark a milestone year in many ways for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community.
This year saw the first openly gay professional baskeball player, Jason Collins came out, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to deny federal benefits to same-sex couples and Canada marked the 10th anniversary of its first same-sex marriage.
On Sunday, Ontario's Kathleen Wynne, Canada's first openly gay premier, will make history as the first sitting premier to march in Toronto's Pride Parade.
But, for some equality is still a goal, not a reality, and the struggle is far from over.
Pride Toronto
Pride Toronto exists to celebrate the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto's LGBTTIQQ2SA communities. Pride Toronto is the not-for-profit organization that hosts Pride Week, one of the premier arts and cultural festivals in Canada. Pride Week is also one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world, with an estimated attendance of over 1.2 million people celebrating the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto's LGBTTIQQ2SA communities.
The 33rd annual Pride Toronto is celebrated with over 1 million people at this year’s Pride Week Festival from June 21 to June 30, 2013. The social and cultural activities around Toronto during the weekdays that lead up to the Trans March, Dyke March and Pride Parade. The Pride Weekend Street Festival begins Friday evening, June 28th, 2013. Pride Week Festival is officially designated as a City of Toronto “Signature Event”, as well as one of Canada’s largest cultural festivals and one of the world’s largest Pride events.
At the Pentagon
It may be tough for some to believe, but Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel led the celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month in the Pentagon auditorium Wednesday.
Pentagon’s second annual LGBT Pride event since the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning (pictured above) and others spoke about the challenges of being gay in an institution that, until recently, would discharge members for being open about their sexuality.
“We’re very proud of everything the gay and lesbian community have contributed, and continue to contribute,” Hagel said. “With their service, we are moving closer to fulfilling the country’s founding vision, that all of us are created equal.”
Lady Gaga at New York Gay Pride
Lady Gaga made her first onstage appearance since her hip surgery at New York's Gay Pride Rally to help kick off festivities celebrating LGBT community on heels of Supreme Court's overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). She gave an emotional speech and performed her own version of "The Star-Spangled Banner".
"When I was in high school and grade school and younger, I was considered to be an outcast and I just couldn't find my place," she said. "Where did I fit in? And I look back on that time and I remember feeling that I was cut from a different mold."
"There was a particular crowd who did accept me," the avid LGBT supporter added. "There was a particular crowd who made room for me at their table, who held me up when I felt I couldn't, who loved me for exactly who I was. It was you."
Source : www.pridetoronto.com
Image Courtesy : Pride Toronto Facebook & Twitter
Video Courtesy : Lisa Murphy
Feature Image : Pride Toronto
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