World Pride is an event that promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT pride) issues on an international level through parades, festivals and other cultural activities. Founded by Paul Stenson. From 2014, the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the event will be held on a five-year cycle. The inaugural WorldPride was held in Rome, Italy during July1-9, 2000.
The second WorldPride was awarded to Jerusalem in 2006 The first attempt to hold WorldPride in Jerusalem was in 2005, however it was postponed until 2006 because of tensions arising from Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
It was called “Love Without Borders” as a nod to the many barriers within Israel, and for gays and lesbians in other ways. World Pride was a key project of Jerusalem’s Open House, the city’s gay community centre . WorldPride 2012 was awarded to London and coincides with the 19th Annual Europride.
In October 18, 2009 Toronto was named as the host city for World Pride 2014 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Toronto won over rival Stockholm, Sweden. The official World Pride Toronto was handed at Trafalgar Square in London, UK on July 07, 2012 at the close of their World Pride event.
The World Pride 2014 Toronto is an international celebration incorporating activism, education, films, art that celebrates the diversity and dynamism of Toronto and the history and culture of LGBTTIQQ2SA communities, highlighting Canada’s progress in human rights. One of the world’s most progressive and livable cities.
World Pride 2014 Toronto will mark the first World Pride celebration ever held in North America and the fourth festival in the world. The annual Pride Festival will return in 2015. At the annual conference of InterPride, held in October 2012 in Boston, United States, InterPride’s membership voted to establish the “WorldPride 2017” title and awarded it to the city of Madrid, Spain.
In 2011 Pride Toronto attracted more than 1.2 million people. We are hoping to welcome up to 2 million visitors in 2014. Prides are part of a larger global movement. World Pride 2014 Toronto gives the opportunity between local and international movements for them to come together over the 10 day course festival.
Toronto is an urban, cultured and cosmopolitan city with a proud LGBT community. Toronto’s vibrant city scene is alive with theatre, music and performing arts, features diverse shopping districts, and fed by thriving and talented culinary community.
There were many free, public stages throughout Toronto’s Church-Wellesley Village neighbourhood, featuring drag queen and king shows, burlesque shows, cultural performances, and celebrity music acts. Pride Toronto officials said that Pride Week 2009 drew an estimated one million people to Toronto and contributed C$136 million to the city’s economy, and state that they expect WorldPride to be about five times bigger. (By Rodrigo Baak – DOSmagazine/online)
Photos by Rodrigo Baak – DOSmagazine.com MEDIA SILVER on WORLDPRIDE 2014
