The theme for Pride Week 2006 was “Fearless.”
Pride Week 2006 saw a return to Pride’s political roots. 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. 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.
Grand Marshals Donald Middleton & Clayton Wilson and Robert Berry & Les Sheare are two couples that have been together for a combined 100 years. 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. After being together for 47 years they got married on August 9th, 2003.
International Grand Marshal Bill Schiller, Secretary General of the International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network (ILGCN) Information Secretariat. He embodied this year’s fearless theme as co-founder of Tupilak, a Nordic organization of lesbian and gay cultural workers, campaigning tirelessly to shed light and support to our sister queer communities experiencing oppression, neo-Nazi violence, fascism, and state sanctioned violence throughout the world.
There were two Honoured Groups this year, Primetimers Toronto and SOY (Supporting Our Youth). Both of these groups represent a range of people, from youth to those in their “prime,” reflecting what makes the Pride Parade so special — diversity. Primetimers is a social group of gay men over the age of 40 who meet monthly to discuss and ensure the value of diversity. SOY caters to youth of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, experiences and passions. They assist in improving the lives of queer youth through arts, culture and recreational programs.
Honoured Dyke Zahra Dhanani. “Women hold some of the world’s most sacred truths and are vessels of unimaginable power. As we move into an era where women will be ascending to the greatest heights imaginable, we need more than ever to be FEARLESS – in our love of self, our love of each other and our willingness to be who we are against all odds.” — Zahra Dhanani.
Honoured Dyke Group is WRIB (Women in Recreation and Business). WRIB is a networking organization for lesbians and bisexual women in the Greater Toronto Area. The organization has been providing a safe environment for its members since 1991 where they can share and learn from each others’ experience. They foster fearlessness in the community with their wide range of programs such as dinners, dances, and seminars.
International Conference on LGBT Human Rights with over 2,000 held.