WorldPride in Toronto — The Grandest of Them All

Photos: Alain Sojourner

The pictures tell the story: a day full of pride and joy and support. Toronto is the fourth city to host a WorldPride festival since they started in 2000. Events have also been held in Rome, Jerusalem, and London.

Highlights from this year's parade include Ontario's gay premier Kathleen Wynne, the usual underwear and jockstraps, hosing down of parade spectators, rugby scrums and lots of pride.

So hot that hunky firemen needed to cool down the crowd. Squirt me! Squirt me!

An enormous crowd filled the streets to capacity.

Hold on to that rail, boys, this float's picking up speed.

Supporting our LGBT friends in Russia.

Christians being really Christian.

Rugby can be played anywhere, even in the middle of a busy parade.

Awesomely crafted banner, ladies.

Beware of Trojans bearing gifts. No, wait, that's not it.

A+ for a coordinated theme.

Hey, what're you looking at?

Who knew talking to high school kids about homophobia could be so much fun?

The folks at Amnesty International have the right idea.

Parades are not serious affairs. Thank goodness.

Somebody hose those bears down -- they are too hot!

First time on a float? It's fun, huh?

A happy couple in the parade.

Very cool to have a group representing Iran.

The gorgeous ladies of WorldPride.

WorldAbPride 2014.

Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, the first openly gay premier of the province, waves as she marches.

Underwear is considered perfectly appropriate WorldPride wear.

Invoking local politics, an impersonator of Toronto mayor Rob Ford takes a toke from a "crack pipe."

Fly, WorldPride bird, fly!

Enthusiastic parade supporters enliven the day.

Pretty in pink.

Pretty as a peacock.

Time for another official hose-down.

Mom! I told you and your friend to stay home!

See you in Madrid!