Thousands of people marched in the annual Capital Pride parade on Sunday afternoon to showcase love, respect, belonging and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. The parade route started at a new location near LeBreton Flats, before heading past Parliament Hill and moving down Bank Street to conclude at Slater Street. The energy was high with people celebrating the theme of ‘Together We Shine” that recognizes “the power of community, visibility, and belonging.” “I think the timing of it this year of having that new route is fantastic with the opening of the to 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument, we literally walked right in front of it,” said David Breault, board of directors chair of Capital Pride. The festivities included live music, dancers, and performances after a weekend street festival. Organizers were also relieved that the parade went ahead after last year’s march was cancelled halfway through the event when the group Queers for Palestine blocked the parade near Parliament Hill and issued a list of demands. The group said it did so in protest after Capital Pride organizers pulled a pro-Palestinian statement from its website when Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and several organizations pulled out of the parade. “The atmosphere is celebration,” said Breault. “It’s joyous, it’s fun, it’s music, and it’s dancing. That’s the spirit of the pride parade this year.” Organizers had said they expected more than 100,000 people and 150 organizations to participate. Capital Pride’s street festival will run until 8 p.m. Sunday.
