Politic?

Toronto's World Pride

"We are free here. We're able to express ourselves in a better and a more accepting environment -- something we cannot do back home."
"It's homely. It feels like the whole world is here."
Mojalifa Mokoele, 29, Zimbabwean

"I've seen so many people from every corner of the world, literally. [Canada] is a place that actually gets it, that stands up for human rights around the world and welcomes people in."
Liberal Party of Canada leader Justin Trudeau

"Half my riding is in the parade, the other half is watching. Hanging out here is never a bad idea as an election strategy. But I'm actually here because this is about celebrating peoples' right to love."
Adam Vaughan Liberal candidate, Trinity-Spadina

Matthew Sherwood for National Post The Toronto World Pride parade heads down Yonge Street in

Toronto on Sunday, June 29, 2014.

Over ten thousand people, inclusive of Canadian politicians, actors and Olympic athletes were present in Toronto, to march at the largest-ever pride parade on Sunday, after ten days of festivities celebrating gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. This was the first time a WorldPride festival has taken place in a North American city, and it was Toronto playing host, though it was also the 34th year such an event has taken place in the city.

Fittingly, perhaps, given that the province has just elected its first female, gay premier. Who was front and centre at the parade, herself proud of the event. "The energy is always up during this event but it's just on steroids this weekend", said one marcher. "It's been fantastic, absolutely fantastic."

An awful lot of people agreed, people who came as visitors to Canada from the Netherlands, Uganda, Texas, Australia, South Africa, Jamaica, to name a few.

People wore elaborate, colourful costumes and feather headdresses. Some marchers wore nothing. Bystanders wore rainbow colours, WorldPride T-shirts, and simply watched the proceedings, many with young children in tow.

Still, it remains a mystery to many other people why those who identify themselves as gay and other allied categories must flaunt their sexuality. Some see it as fun, others as in extremely poor juvenile taste. The latter, needless to say, stay away, while the former are there, cheering it all on.

To each their own. Sexuality however, is a private matter.

Laura Pedersen/National Post Olivia Chow parades down Yonge Street during the WorldPride Parade

in Toronto, Ontario on Sunday, June 29, 2014.

Why make such a show of it? On the other hand, there are worse things than bad taste. In other parts of the world contempt and violence reflect cultural mores that were once in evidence in Canada, including Toronto and any other city in the country. In that sense, we've come a long way.