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| Photo by Greg Lister |
It was a very hot day in Canada's National Capital, and I'm not just talking about the weather. Which was pretty hot too. Sweltering actually.
After arriving at our meeting spot (the Starbucks at Elgin and Laurier), My husband, 10 year-old daughter, me, my friend Leslie who was visiting from Halifax, her friend Wendy, my friend Karen and her family, headed out onto Laurier to find a spot from which to watch the parade. The sun was out but there were enough clouds that the spot we chose seemed shaded enough. But by the time the parade actually got to us, the clouds had receded and we were in straight sun from then on. Karen and her family wisely chose to move to the other side of the street just before the parade was upon us.
We ended up having about an hour to kill since we were positioned near the end of the parade which started at Bank and Gladstone. My daughter was a little bored while waiting but luckily the many people in fancy and colourful costumes distracted her, as did any dog in the vicinity. There were lots of dogs.
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
Here we are waiting for the parade to get down to our end:
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Photo by Greg Lister
In retrospect we could have spent another 45 minutes at home before driving downtown, but I wasn't sure how crowded the sidewalk would be.
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Finally, we saw the parade turn the corner from Bank Street onto Laurier way in the distance and, eventually, it got down to us. Mr. and Ms. Capital Pride (Cameron Eric Leon, Jade London) came by in their jalopy, looking totally fabulous!
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
I have alot of friends in the Leather and Kink community but they are usually near the end of the parade. I wasn't quite prepared to see them so early on. But I ran out and got some good hugs in before they'd passed by:
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| Photo of Kira Morganne by Greg Lister |
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Photo of Mike Tattersall by Greg Lister
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What followed was a collection of brightly dressed gay rights supporters waiving their rainbow flags. It was great to see so many youth involved:
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| Photo by Liz Lister |
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| Photo by Liz Lister |
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
And families of all kinds:
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| Photo by Liz Lister |
This guy dresses up in amazing outfits every year. Not sure what the glove on his head was supposed to signify but it's pretty badass:
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
Great showing by the Liberal Party of Ontario:
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
Some familiar faces leading the Hydro Ottawa contingent:
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson with his gang and, YAY, SUPER SOAKERS!!! He sure takes care of his constituents:
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
It was at this point I lost my attempt at decorum and started screaming "Squirt me!!! Please squirt me NOW!!!"
This guy had all the moves:
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
And there were stilt walkers! STILT WALKERS!
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
So pleased to see the police and fire department participating:
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| Photo by Liz Lister |
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| Photo by Liz Lister |
Several religious organizations, including the United and Unitarian Churches, a Roman Catholic parish:
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| Photo by Liz Lister |
and this Minister and his longtime partner from an Anglican Church in Manotick, showed their support for gay rights:
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| Photo by Liz Lister |
In the end, the vast collection of vibrant, radiant people enhanced the beauty of the day and proved that human diversity is a bounty of immense proportions.
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| Photo by Greg Lister |
March on, Ottawa. March on.
~ Liz
