PRIDE ON PARADE
Capital Pride Parade biggest yet with return to Bank Street roots
Ottawa’s Capital Pride Parade returned to Bank Street for the first time in almost a decade Sunday, heading through what was officially designated the city’s gay village in 2011. See the story and more photos in CITY, B1 and at OTTAWACITIZEN.COM
Bank Street was a stream of rainbows Sunday, as the Capital Pride Parade returned to Ottawa’s gay village for the first time in almost a decade.
With more than 100 groups marching, driving, biking or rolling, this year’s parade was the biggest ever.
“It was just incredible,” said Capital Pride spokesman Brodie Fraser. “The street was just lined from the beginning of the route to the end of the route.”
Parading down Bank Street, designated the city’s gay village in 2011, gave the event a more intimate, community feel than the traditional Wellington Street route, Fraser said.
“The cheers from the crowd were just intensified.”
Those cheers added to the music, chants and kazoos of the parade, making this year’s theme of “Be loud. Be proud” ring in onlookers’ ears.
People of all ages and all backgrounds marched to show their pride. While some groups entered elaborate displays — such as the Loblaws float that ferried several people dressed as sushi, grapes, bananas and cupcakes — others elected to simply march.
Dozens of people walked with Ottawa Senior Pride Network, carrying witty signs with quips such as “I’m still hot, it just comes in flashes.”
Thousands of supporters crowded the streets to watch the parade participants stroll along Bank Street from Gladstone to Laurier avenues, then along Laurier to City Hall. Many in the crowd got into the spirit, whether covered in glitter, dressing in drag or waving rainbow flags.
Six-month-old Maya Blom watched the parade from her mother’s arms. Her parents Robyn Blom and Matt Sumegi have been coming to pride festivals annually for about a decade. “It’s important to support one of the last big civil rights movements there is in the country and across the world right now,” said Sumegi, the slogan “No H8” painted on his cheek.
The new parents will continue to bring their daughter to pride as she grows up.
“I think it helps teach her the values we want to instil in her, openness, acceptance and being part of your community in every aspect,” Sumegi said.
“The other reason is it’s just a great party. It’s vibrant, it’s happy, it’s upbeat. It’s just a great atmosphere,” said Robyn Blom, who wore a pink “Legalize Gay” tank top, to which she’d added the words “Hey Russia.”
Blom wasn’t the only one at Sunday’s parade encouraging Russia to rethink the country’s anti-gay law. Several marchers carried signs decrying the law, which essentially criminalizes any positive representation of “non-traditional” sexual relationships. Some even carried on after the parade, marching to the Russian Embassy where they planned to tie colourful ribbons to the gate as a kind of artistic protest.
The group, organized by SAW Gallery and non-profit inclusivity organization Jer’s Vision, was met by several police officers, who told them what they were planning wasn’t allowed.
Instead, the group tied ribbons to posts, gates and trees next to the property.
“We’re tying ribbons today because these colours symbolize our community, a community that aspires for peace and respect,” said Jeremy Dias, executive director of Jer’s Vision. “And we’re going to try and raise awareness.”
Not being allowed to tie the ribbons directly onto the gate was discouraging, Dias said.
“I fundamentally believe we don’t need a permit to say something to Russians,” he said, adding that the ribbons are only part of the group’s campaign. “Sometimes when you’re fighting a big battle, you don’t always get what you want,” Dias said. “But then you come back later on.”