From the return of in person events like Art in the Street and Toronto Pride, to the supreme court overturning Roe v. Wade, this is what The Ontarion noticed in the news this week.
Toronto Pride celebrates a huge turnout after two years without a march
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the streets of Toronto were awash with all the colours of the rainbow and more during Sunday’s Pride parade.
On the day of the festival, hundreds of thousands of queer folks and allies congregated to the south end of Yonge Street at 2 p.m. before marching together to Yonge-Dundas Square.
Organizers made preparations for up to 1.9 million attendees due to the excitement and buildup from two years of social distancing and isolation. In 2019 alone, approximately 1.7 million had attended Pride according to CBC News and Pride Toronto’s Economic Impact Report.
In an effort to stay environmentally-friendly, no gas-powered vehicles or single-use plastics were used at the parade this year. This was a major first in Toronto Pride’s 41-year-long history.
Additionally, organizers took several safety precautions in light of rising anti-LGBTQ incidents this month. The festival hired private security firms to secure designated spaces, and attendees were inspected for weapons by use of security wands and metal detectors so that everyone could feel safe.
Among those who attended was William Slaght, a 66-year-old Quebec City resident who came out last year. He and his boyfriend traveled all the way to Toronto to celebrate his first Pride. Where he was once “terrified,” he now says he feels free.
“[Coming out] radically changed my life, I was being myself, I’m 100 per cent gay and I’m proud of it,” he told CBC News. “I can say that I love myself, and before I couldn’t. It’s incredible having that feeling.”
Executive director of Pride Toronto Sherwin Modeste said that she and the other organizers were incredibly excited to give the city one of its largest Pride festivals yet.
“Pride is more than just a celebration,” said Modeste. “Pride is a protest. It’s a protest to send a message that the 2SLGBTQ members across the globe that are still not free to be themselves.”
U of G professor discusses the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the role Canada may play
Last weekend marked a grim setback on human rights in America as the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 legal decision to protect a pregnant woman’s constitutional right to have an abortion without government restriction.
In Canada, some are now wondering whether more Americans will travel here for abortion access. Dr. Candace Johnson is a professor of political science at the University of Guelph, and she says they very well could.
In a release posted by U of G News, Johnson says that abortion bans don’t prohibit the procedure. Rather, they force those seeking abortions to find providers through other sources and jurisdictions. Abortion-inducing medication can be found online these days, but many may still seek out illegal and unsafe methods.
Where people go for abortion access will vary depending on where they live in the U.S., says Johnson. For example, those near the southern border will likely favour travel to Mexico which is “familiar, anonymous, inexpensive, quick and carries with it no surveillance or judgment.”
Meanwhile, travel to Canada requires money, medical management, and a passport.
Although Justin Trudeau has assured that American women seeking abortions will be permitted entry to Canada, the fine details of this have yet to be ironed out. Also, there’s the issue of Canada’s abortion clinic capacity.
There are already very few clinics in Canada that will perform abortions, and they’re already at capacity. An influx of Americans seeking the procedure in Canada will probably increase wait times and restrict access for rural, northern, and Indigenous Canadians.
As Johnson states in the release, all we can do in light of these regressive bans is hope that the Canadian government honours its commitment to reproductive health. With any luck, Canada would benefit from expanding related services should there be an influx of abortion-seekers in the country.
Art on the Street features local artists of all ages
Guelph was all revved up to celebrate Art on the Street for its 20th year last weekend, especially since everyone was eager to finally return to an in-person outdoor experience.
This year’s two day event was an art exhibit and sale from nearly 100 artists that took place on Quebec Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Attendees were able to view and purchase an array of various art ranging from ceramics, jewellery, and textiles to paintings and photography.
Children had the opportunity to participate in creative activities hosted by Play with Clay and the Suzuki String School, and there were just as many youngsters selling their artistic wares at the Mini Maker Market.
“Art On The Street has always been one of my best shows, year after year,” Michelle Miller, a local jeweller who attended the event, said to GuelphToday. “I have been a part of this show from its inception. It’s incredible how this event has grown and the excellent caliber of artists it hosts. I am honoured to be a part of it 20 years later!”
Many other artists shared Miller’s sentiment, including Guelph ceramic potter Bunny Safari who said Art on the Street was a great opportunity to meet the supporters that allow the local industry to thrive.
“Art On the Street is such a great event that showcases artists/crafts folk at all levels of their artistic endeavours,” said Safari.Although this year’s show is over too soon, you can still check out local events and artists to support on the Guelph Arts Council website.