Pride London Festival

Dundas Street (From Elizabeth to Clarence)

Sunday, 1 p.m., July 25, 2010

The Pride London Festival mission statement states their aim is, “To provide an annual opportunity to generate celebratory, cultural, artistic and educational events which affirm the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual,

transgender, and two-spirited people, and supporters through activities which promote unity, inclusion, and awareness of sexual and gender diversity.”

One of the major ways the Festival accomplishes this is through their annual Pride Parade.

Janice Johnston organized an entry in the parade that celebrated theatre in London (see photos by Robin Rundle Drake) to the music of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Richard Gilmore, friend of The Beat and a photographer whose work often graces the pages on our site, made one “sweet transvestite.”

Johnston and her troupe handed out copies of The Beat and walked alongside a vehicle with the words The Beat spray painted on its side. Johnston says, “It was so much fun, and yes, the weather was fantastic. I just love a parade!!”

The Beat appreciates the generous efforts of Janice, Richard and the many friends who donated their time in supporting the parade.

You can catch the action on television as Rogers TV, Cable 13, will broadcast coverage of the 16th Annual Pride Parade, including highlights of the Pride London Festival 2010 on Wednesday, July 28th at 8 p.m.

Donald D’Haene is the editor of beatmagazine.ca. He is co-producing The Producers along with John Pacheco which will run at the McManus Studio Theatre, Dec 1-11.