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International Grand Marshal Bill Schiller, Secretary General of the International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network (ILGCN) Information Secretariat. After being together for 47 years they got married on August 9th, 2003. Donald and Clayton met in London, Ontario in 1956 and “lived without fear in a time when it wasn’t acceptable.” Robert and Les met on March 17th, 1956. Grand Marshals Donald Middleton & Clayton Wilson and Robert Berry & Les Sheare are two couples that have been together for a combined 100 years. The second annual Pride Toronto Gala and Awards grew into a major community event this year, with a diverse group of award winners from all parts of the queer community in attendance. The Parade, lead by Pride Toronto’s first International Grand Marshal, highlighted the issues of inequality faced by our brothers and sisters worldwide and honoured the heroes of Toronto’s own queer community past and present. Pride Week 2006 saw a return to Pride’s political roots. The theme for Pride Week 2006 was “Fearless.” It is crucially important that there be growing, vibrant congregations like MCC Toronto. In an age where the increasing trend in World Religions is towards discriminatory fundamentalism, more and more people reject Religion because they see it as an agent of their oppression. MCC Toronto has achieved much in the areas of human rights and social justice over the last 32 years, most recently with the landmark same-sex marriage court case. Honoured Group: Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto Somehow, he also manages to fit in a day job as President of Famous Players Media Inc., and Publisher of Famous magazines.
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A longtime member of CANFAR’s board of directors, Bachir has organized countless fundraisers for AIDS research and patient care. As Chair of The 519 Capital Campaign he has raised more than $5-million for the expansion and renovation of The 519 Community Centre – $750,000 of which was donated by himself. Salah Bachir has long been a fervent supporter of the gay and lesbian community. Grand Marshal Salah Bachir is a generous philanthropist, successful businessman and visionary patron of the arts. The theme for Pride Week 2005 was: Pride 25: “25 years and counting”. All charges were dropped, the Police were forced to pay $350,000.00 and issue an apology from the officers who conducted the raid and a commitment from the force to beef up sensitivity training for its 7,260 members. He went on to compare the raid to a strip search, and that it was “one of the clearest cases” of inappropriate law enforcement. It was his opinion that women were entitled to a safe place to explore their sexuality without the imposition of men. On JanuJudge Peter Hryn declared that the five male officers violated the Constitutional rights of the women attending the Pussy Palace event. Protesters waved panties and boxer briefs as well as posters with slogans – “No more raids,” “ ” “Sluts can’t be shamed” and “Fuck you, 52” (slogan used in protests established through Black & Caribbean LGBTQ communities). 28th, the Pussy Palace Panty Picked Protest was held in front of police headquarter, 52 Division. The raid and charges brought against the Pussy Palace organizers were condemned by the LGBTQ community. September 2000, Pussy Palace Raid – The Pussy Palace Raid so called because the women’s event that night was Named “The Pussy Palace”. Heroes Sky Gilbert and Michelle Douglas join the parade as Grand Marshals. “Heroic Past, Proud Future” – a time to look back on all that LGBT communities have accomplished and gird our loins for battles yet to be won. In spite of the politically charged atmosphere that year, the day is billed as a time to relax, celebrate, and as “an afternoon of fun and frolic.” 1,500 celebrate Pride Day on Sunday, June 28th, at Grange Park. Lesbian and Gay Pride Day Toronto is legally incorporated. Future mayor Barbara Hall is among the legal counsel defending those arrested. Activists start working, and the group Gays and Lesbians Against the Right is formed. The names of those arrested are publicized by the police and local media, destroying several lives.Ī major demonstration is held at Yonge and Wellesley the next day by hundreds of Toronto queers and their supporters, closing down the street. For added public humiliation, the “found-ins” are herded into the streets in towels to be processed. Again, extensive property damage is inflicted by police. On February 5, Metro Toronto Police raid various bathhouses – known as “Operation Soap”, arresting 306 men, in the largest Canadian mass arrest except for the October 1970 FLQ crisis.