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By Hina AlamStaff Reporter Emma McIntoshStaff Reporters

Sun., June 25, 2017

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led thousands of revellers under a rain of glitter and colour at the Torontos Pride parade Sunday. This years march, which had a theme of inclusivity, had two conspicuous absences through most of the afternoon: uniformed police and Black Lives Matter (BLM), the activist group that disrupted last years march.

BLM did show up toward the end of the parade, despite not being officially registered. Protesters chanted Black Lives Matter in all-black outfits as they raised their fists in the air near Yonge and College Sts., the same place where the group held up the parade last year.

May we never again have to mourn another life like that of Andrew Loku, read one of the signs, referring to the fatal shooting of a black man by Toronto police in 2015.

Wherever they go, black folks will resist their presence, activist Rodney Diverlus said of police.

Tweets from BLM organizers said this years Pride parade was more inclusive and accessible because of their activism.

Their protest did not bring a halt to the main parade, which had already passed.

First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde, who walked alongside Trudeau at the front of the parade with a group of Indigenous activists close behind, was the first in his post to march in the Toronto Pride parade.

There were no closets in our teepees, Bellegarde said earlier in the day, referring to the historic importance of two-spirited people to First Nations communities.

I feel the energy in the air, said Bellegarde, dressed in a sky-blue shirt with rainbow stripes running across his shoulders and chest. He said he was excited to be at his first Pride parade: The caring. The compassion. The love. The acceptance.

Trudeau was joined by his wife, Sophie Grgoire Trudeau, and their children Xavier and Ella-Grace. Grgoire Trudeau waved a rainbow flag, one of the symbols of the LGBTQ community.

This is all about including people, Trudeau sporting a temporary rainbow maple leaf tattoo on his cheek told media shortly before the parade began.

Its all about how we celebrate the multiple layers of identities that make Canada extraordinary and strong, and today we celebrate with the entire LGBTQ community.

Trudeau also wished the crowd a happy Pride Mubarak, a play on words referring to the end-of-Ramadan celebrations happening in the Muslim community Sunday celebrations Trudeau honoured with a pair of brightly coloured socks.

Trudeau last year became the first sitting prime minister to march in the parade.

Also joining this years march were Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory.

Many in the roaring, rainbow-clad crowd perched on rooftops and ledges, cheering as each float went by.

Jason and Daniel Northway-Frank, wearing blue T-shirts reading dada and daddee, have been coming to the parade since 1995. They said they come to honour friends and family.

Its supportive of diversity, Jason said.

Pride organizers asked Toronto police not to march in uniform this year one of BLMs demands from the 2016 sit-in.

Instead, dozens marched in uniform with members of the New York Police Department at the New York Pride parade Sunday.

Its sad that were not able to actually march in the parade, but I understand the chiefs decision, said acting superintendent Steve Molyneaux of the Toronto polices 51 division. Were still here to police it and make sure its safe and make sure everyone has a good time.

BLM has argued that allowing uniformed officers at the parade could discourage marginalized communities from attending.

The police not in uniform is really significantly important, especially to people of colour, said Tori Cress, an Anishinaabe activist who walked with the Indigenous march. Those are things that we equate to violence historically.

At the Faith and Pride service before the parade, Rev. Brent Hawkes, senior pastor at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, asked people to come together to celebrate their differences. Fat raindrops briefly fell from the rumbling, lightning-filled skies, sending people scrambling and ending the service early.

Inclusion is the core value in our community and as long as a group or a company supports LGBT equality, then in my opinion, welcome aboard, he said.

Because I probably wear a uniform that represents the group that has done the most damage to the LGBT community the Christian church, he said. So I would say dont ban whats offensive to some, reform it to the benefit of everyone.

Hawkes, who has led the service for more than 20 years, is due to retire at the end of the year.

Around the corner from the main festivities on Church St., a crowd of about 100 gathered for an Indigenous opening ceremony called the Spirit Within, which was also interrupted by the brief downpour.

The ceremony opened with a prayer by Ma-Nee Chacaby, a two-spirited person of the Beaver Clan from Thunder Bay.

Were here just to walk, Chacaby said. To be visible. To show were proud to be who we are, especially the two-spirited people.

Bellegarde and Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett, who was decked out in a red top hat and rainbow ribbon skirt, also spoke at the ceremony, each touching on similar themes.

It is important for First Nations to be represented at Pride because studies have shown that LGBTQ and two-spirited Indigenous people are subjected to more violence and oppression than others, Bellegarde said.

Its all about acceptance.

Tory said he was excited to be at Pride, but touched on the controversies that hit the parade last year.

Its a bit bittersweet because we have a few issues to address, he said.

More than 150 other groups, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Armed Forces, Google Canada, Metrolinx and Sick Kids hospital, participated in the parade. The theme for this years pride was the plus sign, representing inclusivity.

With files from Star staff and The Canadian Press

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Inclusivity energizes Toronto Pride parade - Toronto Star