Toronto’s Pride Parade 2025 Lights Up the City Amid Road Closures and Funding Concerns
Hey folks, if you were in downtown Toronto today, you already know the energy was electric. The city came alive with colour, music, joy, and unity for the 44th annual Toronto Pride Parade — and yes, you could watch it all live on CP24. The event drew tens of thousands to the streets, despite a few traffic headaches due to road closures. But let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it.
Marching from Rosedale down through the heart of downtown to Nathan Phillips Square, over 250 groups proudly filled the streets with vibrant floats, music, confetti, and, most importantly, unwavering support for the LGBTQ2S+ community. The roads were closed, but the spirit of Pride opened every heart.
Anishnawbe Health Toronto kicked things off at the front of the parade, bringing Indigenous pride into full view with a stunning hand-painted float, drums, and dancing that lit up the crowd. One of their participants, Enya Pinesse, made it clear — this was about visibility, especially for the 2S in LGBTQ2S+. That representation matters.
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Then there were incredible individuals like Cassidy Monroe, dancing in the parade for the second year in a row, beaming in neon and exuding joy. Her words hit home: “With everything happening in the world, we need Pride more than ever. We need to remind everyone that we’re here, we belong, and we matter.”
Angel wings, rainbow fans, drag performances — the creativity and passion were unmatched. Even Mayor Olivia Chow joined in, highlighting the importance of standing by trans youth, not just here but globally.
Now, there’s a real concern behind all the sparkle. Pride Toronto’s Executive Director, Kojo Modeste, has sounded the alarm for 2026. Rising costs and a near million-dollar funding gap are threatening next year’s celebration. Big names like Google and Nissan have pulled out, reportedly due to growing backlash against DEI efforts. It's disheartening, especially since so many LGBTQ+ folks work for and support these brands.
But the community is stepping up. Close to $10,000 in donations have already come in from everyday people, and the city itself has committed $350,000 in funding. Still, it’s not enough. As Modeste put it, if higher levels of government don’t chip in, next year’s Pride could be much smaller — and that would be a big loss for a city that has proudly hosted this event since 1981.
Despite these looming challenges, today was a celebration — loud, proud, and full of life. Whether you were marching, cheering from the sidewalk, or watching from home, Toronto Pride 2025 reminded us that visibility, community, and love still matter deeply.
And for those wondering, yes, traffic was a bit hectic, but seeing the city shut down for something so powerful? That’s Toronto at its best.
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