Rainbows everywhere as Toronto readies for WorldPride

Businesses, neighbourhoods and streets given the rainbow treatment as anticipation builds for the 10-day event

Toronto has erupted in a celebration of colour as rainbows spread across the city in anticipation of WorldPride, which takes over the city from June 20 to 29.

The first of two rainbow-coloured crosswalks was installed at Church and Alexander streets overnight on June 3, with the second painted at Church and Isabella streets the following night.

Also June 4, Toronto Public Health unveiled the city’s first official condom. The “CondomTO” has an illustration of the street signs for Coxwell Avenue, Wood Street and Cummer Avenue and carries the message “No matter which way you go, put it on.” The condoms are being deployed around the city, particularly in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood, in advance of WorldPride.

Meanwhile, the Church and Wellesley branch of TD Canada Trust unveiled a rainbow vinyl wrap on its building and around its ATMs.

The first of 200 lamppost banners that will be deployed across the city in celebration of WorldPride also hit the streets in the Village and along King Street West. The simple banners feature a rainbow flag and tell people to “Feel welcome. Everywhere.”

Ryerson University deployed Pride banners in its district, as well, boasting, “Your pride is our pride.”

Up the street from the Village, the Yorkville branch of the Toronto Public Library has its four front columns wrapped in rainbows. The branch is hosting a queer comedy night on June 12, featuring Danz Altvater, Catherine McCormick, Paul Hutcheson and Dawn Whitwell.

Click on the picture above for our gallery of images from around the city.

Rob Salerno is a playwright and journalist whose writing has appeared in such publications as Vice, Advocate, NOW and OutTraveler.

Read More About:
Culture, News, Canada, Pride, Ottawa, Toronto

Keep Reading

Collage with two hands holding a bat, swinging towards a baseball with a dollar sign on it, against a blue background with a net, baseball player and the Olivia logo on an outfield sign

Why the WPBL partnering with a lesbian travel company matters

Support from lesbian brands and bars harks back to the queer history of women’s sport leagues
Confluence cover

‘Confluence’ brings Vancouver’s queer history to life

The late Alex Turner and his husband, Lucian Childs, have written a unique and rewarding ode to mid-century gay British Columbia

Gaudy goddess: Self-described backwoods Barbie, Dolly Parton, chats about boobs, Broadway and battling hate

Revisiting Matt Thomas’s interview with the legend, originally published in fab Magazine in 2009

Dolly Parton was all of our chosen family

The superstar, who passed away at age 80, was always there for her queer fans. We collectively mourn her loss
Advertisement