Members of Carleton’s GLBTQ Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity marched in the 30th annual Pride Toronto parade, marking Carleton’s fifth year of involvement in one of the largest pride events in the world.
“As Canada’s largest Pride Festival, Toronto Pride offers students a unique opportunity to have an amazing and empowering experience, as well as to let prospective students know that Carleton University has an active and vibrant GLBTQ community of its own,” said Carleton GLBTQ Centre co-ordinator Mike Wiseman.
A group of approximately 15 Carleton students marched in this year’s parade, many of whom were either from Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area. The centre also subsidized transportation for some students living in Ottawa who had never previously participated in the parade.
“For many students and volunteers, this is their first pride and often it is one of their first experiences with the GLBTQ community,” Wiseman said. “Depending on an individual’s past experiences with homophobia, biphobia, transphobia or other discrimination, pride can be a very emotional and liberating experience.”
The parade has been an annual event in Toronto since 1981, this year drawing over 1.2 million viewers. The 10-day event, held at the end of June, initially evolved out of the protests that occurred in Toronto’s bathhouses and has grown to include a large dyke march, the pride parade itself, as well as several large performances.
Wiseman said, participating in Toronto Pride allows Carleton students to feel part of a larger GLBTQ community so that they have further links to various GLBTQ communities even after they graduate.
“The greatest thing that can be achieved through participation in these events is to create a safer and more inclusive space for people who identify as GLBTQ in all aspects of their life.”
He added that these events help “foster a more understanding and safer country for all, regardless of sexual or gender identity.”
The GLBTQ Centre also holds its own Pride week every year, including several events, open to all Carleton students that highlight the many services offered by the centre.
Wiseman said they plan on participating in the Ottawa/Gatineau pride week from August 20–29. They will join forces with other student organizations in Ottawa to form one big student movement contingent in the parade and the dyke march, and they may even run their own event at some point during the week.