Surviving the pandemic XIV: Pride 2021

12 - Jun 2021 -

I had hoped to be long done with writing "surviving the pandemic" pieces. I had hoped that Pride would rise like a phoenix from the flames of Miss 'Rona. But apparently there is to be at least one more "surviving the pandemic," and this one has to do with Pride. 

Last year's Pride was totally online, as will be most of this year's. Unless there is a spontaneous surge of celebrants who descend on the Village on that fateful day . . . The patios will be open but they could never handle the tsunami of tipplers and a march, or even dancing in the street waving rainbow flags, just isn't in our best interest this year. Not until we're all vaxxed to the max.

I hate to confess that the last time I checked in at PrideToronto.com, there were no events planned and I just assumed they were, as usual, mired in political and financial confusion. Since then - sometime in May when I first started thinking about this piece? - a huge slate of digital events have been scheduled and, again I hate to confess, many of them have already come and gone. There is something for every single letter in that long acronym that is our identity(s). Lots of DJs, drag, performances, poetry, politics, burlesque, sex advice, healing circles, family Pride, sober Pride, elder Pride, etc, etc. Prideguide.online promises a plethora of presentations for each day of Pride weekend from the Trans March through the Dyke March to the Pride Parade itself.

The parade can't, of course, be created digitally but the publicity claims, "It’s been 40 years of Pride in Toronto! Our digital parade will be a one hour production honoring our history, highlighting key Toronto talent and foster community." The host is Piryanka of Drag Race fame. That is followed by Closing Ceremony: Revolution, "Looking back at the '90s through music, poetry and dance. Using what we have learned to move up into the future and to bring us one step closer to ending the BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ struggles we all faced," and then Blockorama which needs no explanation. As exciting as that sounds, I'll be tuning in a day earlier for Alternaqueer: Bathhouse and Body Works for "the most tantalizing, smutty, and sometimes strangely meaningful acts Toronto has to offer." The list of performers for all the events is impressive to say the least but I am still searching for the TNTMen showcase.

Forty years of Pride is a milestone and though we'll be celebrating in our homes and at a distance, thanks to queer ingenuity, we will be celebrating. pridetoronto.com

Far less reverent is Sunday, June 13's Basket Full of Queers Variety Show. Heavy on comedy, the production is hosted by Brendan D'Souza and stars members of the Basket Collective, "a company formed to create opportunities for BIPOC artists, and to provide resources to new emerging artists." As well as the basket full of comedians (Tom Hearn, Tamara Shevon, Ajahnis Charley, Ben Sosa Wright and Kirsten Rasmussen), there is a drag performance by Selena Vyle and musical performances from Tafari Anthony and the one and only Chris Tsujiuchi who managed to translate his Very Chris-tical Christmas Cabaret into an online sensation. 

Basket Full of Queers Variety Show streams at 9pm on Sunday, June 13 and is PWYC at basketfullofqueers.eventbrite.ca

Buddies is always the hostess with the most when it comes to Pride celebrations. Their collaboration with CBC Gem last year was one of the highlights of the season. This year does not disappoint (beyond the only digital thing). Boiband the Boyband: The Series, Drag King Bedtime Stories, Eva in Rio, productions by the Emerging Creators Unit, and the 2-Spirit Cabaret pack the weeks of Pride Month. On Pride Day itself, tradition is to take a break from the heat and hordes by ducking into Tallulah's Cabaret for a beverage and bonhomie. Buddies will endeavour to bring the Pride Tea Dance online from 5 to 7pm, hosted by bartender/poet/goddess Patricia Wilson and the irrepressible Ryan G Hinds. Guests include Bom Bae, Wrong Note Rusty, Elvira Kurt and you, once you sign up to join the Gather space.

Buddies' Queer Pride Festival runs from Tuesday, June 15 to the Pride Tea Dance on Sunday, June 27. buddiesinbadtimes.com

Since the internet and digital life doesn't contain Pride celebrations to our home town, another event caught my attention, one that emphasizes the other big gay day of the year. The pandemic has been so horrifying and traumatizing that the only sensible reaction is to amplify the horror. Frightgown  - "You're invited to a killer Pride celebration!" - is a celebration of queer horror with collections of shorts, seminars, podcasters, puppets, the Gaylords of Darkness, a salute to Clive Barker's Nightbreed, and daily Happy Hour mix, mingle and mangle sessions. Frightgown is also using Gather (the gay Zoom? related to Grindr?) for their climactic event, Killer Prom, "The good news is that your dates are here. The bad news is that they're dead." All proceeds go to the Transgender Law Centre which “changes law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.” Angela would be proud.

Frightgown runs Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27. frightgown.com