Gay20 Summit

Toronto pride and G20 summit coincide, busy summer in St. John’s

By Kenny Sharpe

Leaders from the world’s 20 richest countries will be meeting in the heart of Toronto’s financial district on June 26 and 27 for this year’s G20 summit, the same time that the city kicks off its gay pride week.

Michael Ain, Marketing and Communications manager of Pride Toronto, says the world will be watching its leaders and Canada’s largest gay community as some events coincide with one another.

Ain says that the attention Toronto receives this year will help the city in its bid to host World Pride in 2014. While he could not speculate what world leaders would participate in Pride Week, members from the international gay and lesbian community will be participating in the summit.

“Pride Toronto sets an example for international human rights and, as well, we look forward to developing this festival,” said Ain.

Cindy Lauper has been confirmed to play a free city concert on July 3, with the Toronto Pride parade happening on July 4.

In St. John’s, Sarah Downey, chair of Pride St. John’s, says the events in Toronto will be more about education.

“The issue isn’t really to expose homosexuality and the individuals that sit under that umbrella, but more so, to dispel the common misconceptions about what pride is,” said Downey.

Downey and her committee have big plans for this summer, organizing an 11-day pride event in St. John’s. The event will include round tables, dog shows, park festivities, and information on blood services and community involvement.

Downey believes that it is time for the shift to begin in recognizing homosexuality as part of a larger community, not only as a single community itself.

“I’d like to think that it is a community aspect. Going to Pride is not about showing off your ass in a pair of chaps; it is about feeling like you a part of a community. Not only are you part of a set community, but you are also part of and contribute to the whole world as a global citizen as well.”

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