Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the high-profile attendees at the march. According to festival executive director, “When our leaders show up to show their support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, appearances like that matter.”
Carney briefly joined the parade with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, shaking hands and taking selfies with the cheering crowd lining Yonge Street. The crowd appeared delighted to have the prime minister in attendance.
Since its inception in 1981, the parade has become a powerful platform for LGBTQ+ people and their allies to rally for equality and respect. People turned out in large numbers to dance and sing the rallying cry, “We Won’t Stop,” demonstrating resilience in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. We interviewed several attendees, who had this to say.
Oseimiebi Kiri Onuoga, a Nigerian who identifies as bisexual, said she was excited to be part of the movement. She used the opportunity to call on the Nigerian government to repeal the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which was passed into law under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
Another Nigerian attendee, Ayisat Abebi Salami, said she was ecstatic to be part of the movement. Salami identifies as bisexual and said that being able to express her sexual orientation freely brings her great happiness. She said that she and her son, Khalid Adigun Salami, whom she also described as bisexual, had longed for a day like this. She expressed gratitude to the Government of Canada for providing them with a platform to express themselves and urged the Nigerian federal government and other countries to follow Canada’s example and allow LGBTQ+ people to live freely.
Also, One Onyinye Olugbuo, a Nigerian, who also identifies as a bisexual, said being a bisexual complete him. He seize the opportunity to plead with Nigeria lawmakers and special appeal to President Bola Tinubu to to write his name in Gold by abolishing the SSMPA and make laws that would protect all genders including LGBTQ members in Nigeria.
Another Nigerian, Sunday Samson Sosanya, who also identifies as bisexual, thanked the Government of Canada for supporting LGBTQ+ people. He said Prime Minister Carney’s presence was evidence that the LGBTQ+ community “has come to stay.” Sosanya added that LGBTQ+ people are not “evil or possessed,” contrary to what some religious leaders in Nigeria have portrayed.
Azeez Abiodun Balogun, a Nigerian who identifies as a bisexual man, said, “We won’t stop until the Nigerian federal government and the world at large recognize and accept LGBTQ+ people.”
Another attendee, Imeh Patrick Isong, who identifies as gay, said, “Equality is equity.” Isong used the opportunity to urge Nigerian lawmakers and President Tinubu to ensure that LGBTQ+ people enjoy the same fundamental rights to freedom, association, and liberty as others.
Fatai Oluwatosin Aworinde and his same-sex partner, Afeez Bolakale Mogaji, both of whom identify as bisexual, called on countries—particularly Nigeria—that have yet to recognize LGBTQ+ people’s rights to follow Canada’s example and provide equal rights and protection.
First-time attendee Onyekachi Emmanuella Dikeh, who identifies as a bisexual woman, said she was happy to witness the event. She expressed gratitude to the Government of Canada for making it possible. She said she had lived in denial of her identity but no longer did so.
The parade also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people in countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, and Liberia, where laws criminalize same-sex relationships and impose prison sentences. Attendees called on countries that have yet to recognize LGBTQ+ rights to reconsider or repeal such laws.
As the event concluded, the message was clear: “We won’t stop.” The parade served as a reminder that the fight for equality, respect, and recognition must continue around the world.
