INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Toronto Marks First Pride Month: Flag Raising, Parade, And Not The End Of Civil Rights Movement

By Christina St Jean
Published on: 05:15 PST, Jun 1, 2016

Toronto, Canada, is enjoying its first ever Pride Month, and while there has been a flag raising and an upcoming Pride Parade, it should be noted that the civil rights movement, at least as far as LGBTQ issues are concerned, is far from over. In fact, Pride Month serves as a significant reminder that there is still a lot of work to do.

MTV News reports that the public at large needs to be aware that while equality is an important thing to celebrate, it’s the larger notion of freedom that should be fought for. Pride Month is only further evidence that there needs to be more of a fight for freedom for those individuals who continue to be marginalized.

“We’re not there yet,” writer Jane Coaston remarks. “We’re not free yet. Not when transgender people can’t go to the right bathroom because, apparently, Republican leaders are very concerned that straight dudes might break into women’s restrooms with abandon. (This says a lot more about straight dudes than it does about trans people.)”

Coaston, unfortunately, is not wrong, and the issues revolving around which washroom transgender individuals are able to use is only the tip of the iceberg. Yes, there is a lot to celebrate during Pride Month, but Pride Month should also serve as a further reminder that while we as a society have come a long way, there is still a long way yet to go before we can claim victory in the world of civil rights.

On the plus side, for the first time in 35 years, the transgender flag was also raised alongside the Pride flag at Toronto City Hall, and according to CTV News, Aaron Glyn Williams, Pride Toronto Board of Directors Co-Chair, said that the occasion marked the diversity of the transgender community and its ability to stand alongside the rest of the LGBTQ population in spite of the lack of tolerance it’s frequently viewed with. He also said it was a great way to kick off Pride Month.

“There isn’t a better time to honour the magnificent diversity of the trans community and tell the world that we will stand together to fight discrimination against the most vulnerable and marginalized within our community,” he said in a press release.

As could likely be expected, President Barack Obama also praised the efforts of all concerned in trying to end discrimination. He also noted that Pride Month was a way of acknowledging those efforts in addition to reinforcing the progress that still needs to be made.

“There remains much work to do to extend the promise of our country to every American,” he said, according to the Advocate, “but because of the acts of courage of the millions who came out and spoke out to demand justice and of those who quietly toiled and pushed for progress, our Nation has made great strides in recognizing what these brave individuals long knew to be true in their hearts — that love is love and that no person should be judged by anything but the content of their character.”

It has been said for quite some time that LGBTQ rights are, in reality, human rights, so some might argue that Pride Month seems illogical. However, when you have been a part of a marginalized group for so long, there comes a time where you need to stand and tell people that civil rights for all — not just for some — need to be fought for and established. That’s why months like Pride Month exist. There is a definite need for people to show their support against the discrimination of those who identify as Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Queer, or anywhere along that spectrum.

Pride Month is like any march in support of civil rights for all. Further support and awareness for those struggling to be recognized in a sea of discrimination or self-blame are needed, and Pride Month is a necessary step towards civil rights for everyone, regardless of race or religion.

[Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images]

Share this article: Toronto Marks First Pride Month: Flag Raising, Parade, And Not The End Of Civil Rights Movement
Toronto LGBTQ
More from Inquisitr