Pride Toronto - 2016 Parade!

Toronto celebrates its 35th Pride Parade this year with it being the most memorable year yet. There were over 204 participants in this year’s parade which started at Yonge and Bloor and ended at the heart of the city Yonge-Dundas Square.

Justin Trudeau made history as being the first Canadian Prime Minister to have marched in the parade which reflects the progress Canadian society has made on gay rights in recent years. Furthermore, there were many moments during the parade devoted to the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando and a sit-in by Black Lives Matter all demonstrated the most politically engaged Pride festivities in recent times.

Pride Toronto also had special guests from all over the world march the parade with appearances by the Prancing Elites, trans activist Aydian Downling, Vivek Shraya, and some of the cast members of the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.

It was definitely a Pride Parade to remember!

Pride Toronto - DRAG ON! Captures Guinness World Record!

Toronto Pride set a new Guinness world record for the largest drag show on Saturday during Pride Toronto’s ‘Drag ON!’ event at Yonge-Dundas Square.

73 of Canada’s fiercest Drag Kings and Queens took to the stage for a performance that smashed the Guinness book of world record for the “Largest Drag Artist Show”. The record was held by GSWS Columbus, at a nightclub in Ohio which consisted of 55 participants.

Pride Toronto - Dive Into The AQUEERium

Ever want to watch fishy queens perform with actual fish in the background!? Well, fish no further Pride Toronto held “A Night at the Aqueerium” at Ripley’s Aquarium for an amazingly gay deep sea adventure!

Australian Dj Superstar Kitty glitter slew her beats across the Great Rainbow Reef while mermaids Sapphire Titha Reign and Judy Virago whimsically played with over 16,000 unique aquatic animals.

The executive director of Pride Toronto Mathieu Chantelois and Marcelo Gowi also made a splash appearance!

Pride Toronto - An Evening With George Takei

Most people know him from the cult following tv show Star Trek as Hikaru Sulu but now George Takei is a leading human rights activist for LGBT rights. As part of a speakers series by Pride Toronto, George Takei spent the night in Ryerson Theatre speaking about his own life experiences, social justice and equal rights, the strengths and challenges of ethnocultural living and the effects of social media.

George Takei had nothing but praise for Canada because of the recent change in gay blood donation policies. Since Health Canada approved and made progressive changes in gay blood donation policy a month ago the abstinence-based deferral period is now on par with the U.S.

The evening was very inspiring and sprinkled with George Takei’s iconic wit and humour. Everyone left the event with hope for a more fair and equal world.

Connected Circle - "Business Success"

Rai Allen, representing Calla+Kai, sponsored this past Connected Circle session, June 6th, as head photographer - providing live coverage and head shots for key speakers at Toronto's Rum Exchange. Featuring music by juSt B with a special appearance by singer/songwriter Zxandria Joseph, guest speakers included business experts and entrepreneurs. Official event host, had this to say following the event:

" I have to tell you, you are one of the best photographers I have ever met/seen” - Chris Henry, CEO, founder of craftsight iConcierge.