Rain on This Parade

While the rest of North America unfurls their rainbow flags and storms the streets with effervescent Pride, Toronto is bracing for an unpredictable weekend.

Saturday heralds the G20 Summit in our midst -- world leaders are mingling, police forces are building, and protesters are rallying (or whining, depends on an onlooker's POV).

And, one of the first casualties this weekend is, of course, Toronto Pride.

Rumours throughout the queer centres of the city signal to alternative Pride events taking place across Toronto, most of them quiet affairs set in private venues far removed from the front lines. As for the main parade and its overdose of glitter, local queers and our gorgeous visitors await the postponed festivities scheduled for July 3rd and 4th.

What a drag.

Granted, it's a difficult position to complain from -- I for one want nothing to do with Toronto this weekend. The G20 Summit and its crush of protesters promises widespread disruption and a distinct decrease in civil liberties in exchange for enhanced safety. I've heard the criticism over this complete erasure of official Pride celebrations for such a tense climate, but, well, I have to side with organizers on this one.

Pride Toronto attracts three million or more revelers to the city -- how wise is it to blend all that with protesters promising violence and police forces armed with sound cannons and riot gear?

Still, it's tough to know Toronto queers are missing out on celebrating 2010 Pride with our sister cities. Though, I imagine plan-oriented kids foresaw the issues at hand and prepared a two-part Pride celebration -- this weekend encouraged travelers to discover their Pride in other Canadian cities or other North American destinations while still leaving ample calendar space for Toronto's later activities. See? It's possible to find the hidden opportunities even within "Fortress Toronto."

In other news, I foresee difficulties on the horizon for July 3rd and 4th -- as of this moment, I am coming down with what promises to be a wicked summer cold. The same woman at work who made me sick for Thanksgiving 2009 and gave me the flu right in time for my Sister's New Year's Ever wedding has now passed on another nasty cold to me right in time for Pride.

Did I mention this would have been the first Pride I celebrated as a completely out individual?

Yep.

Nothing significant or anything, right?

I am more than irked. I could use stronger, more foul language to describe this news, but it is futile. The germs have taken root and are starting their slow infestation. Seems my immune system is taking its signals from the Summit this weekend -- it is mass chaos in a microcosm.

Bah, physical metaphors. Quit being so well-timed.

More updates to follow on both fronts. Here's to Toronto and this body of mine making it out alive.