Prides of the past: 2008
25 Jun 2020. -

By 2008, Pride was big business, visible on the world stage and with an ever-increasing budget. It was a time when queers kissed celebrity ass. Cyndi Lauper brought her True Colours tour to town; Mel C performed on the main stage; Sandra Bernhardt hosted the Pride Toronto Gala Awards. None of them actually marched in the parade, however. 

The theme that year was “Unified!” and the International Grand Marshal was Gareth Henry of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals, and Gays. The Parade Grand Marshal was Enza, who made world news a decade earlier when she ran for Mayor. The Dyke March, held on the Saturday, proved to be a very funky event, full of righteous indignation and bare breasts. I loved the Dyke March, which I always felt captured the true spirit of Pride. I especially enjoyed Honoured Group The Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Club. I’m not sure if it was this or some other year, but I do recall them boxing all the way down the street. 

2008 was also the year of the moose. Mel Lastman’s moose campaign, which terrorized the city a few years earlier, was still in full swing and the parade featured a moose painted in rainbow flag colours. Lastman himself rode a fire engine and doused the crowd with a Super Soaker. No politician has ever had as much fun as Lastman, who helped bring Pride the political recognition it deserved. 

This was also the year of the corporate float. MuchMusic had a “Comes Out” float, full of dancing shirtless hunks. So did Rogers Cable and Smirnoff Vodka. Gay-themed floats came courtesy of fab magazine and manline, both of who could use some capital letters. There was, as always, lots of diversity (a shock for those of you who think it was invented just this year) on the streets and on the floats. It was hard not to groove to the 2-Spirited People of the First Nation contingent, banging drums and working headdresses. There were great costumes, like that gang of Brazilian queens, Maria Del Mar among them, wearing those giant feather outfits And who could forget Alexa McDonough, marching with supporters carrying huge banners with her face on it.

I wish I could remember more, but I think this was one of those years where I blacked out due to some substance or other. I’m sure it was a great day for all.