Pride 2014: Photos from Vancouver Pride parade

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      Over the years, the Vancouver Pride parade has grown larger with more corporate floats, more community groups, and yes, more politicians.

      Judging from the size of today's crowds, this hasn't diminished its appeal.

      The photo above is a float promoting Stolichnaya Vodka, which has a colourful history.

      Originally a Soviet brand, the internationally distributed vodka is bottled in Latvia.

      The brand has been at the centre of trademark disputes in Russia, which is on everyone's shit list for its treatment of gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender residents.

      Below, you can see other snapshots I took while I was at the parade.

      I deliberately kept all the politicians off this post.

      The Seattle Girls of Leather made their way up the I-5.
      Charlie Smith

      There once was a time when the religious right used to decry the pernicious influence of those "goddamned secular humanists". But humanists have often been strong allies of the LGBT community.

      It wouldn't be Pride without a healthy contingent of humanists.
      Charlie Smith

      The corporate floats that usually offer the most razzle-dazzle are those from Telus and TD Bank. Here, you can see the folks from Telus before the parade began.

      Telus goes all out for Pride.
      Charlie Smith

      I included the Burnaby school board image below because it was the first group of trustees to really take on the Christian right.

      In 2011, Burnaby Citizens Association trustees passed an antihomophobia policy in the face of intense opposition. Today, they were marching to celebrate diversity.

      Burnaby trustees were ahead of others in protecting LGBT students.
      Charlie Smith

      There were plenty of broadcasters participating in the parade. CKNW Radio's Simi Sara was there with staff from sister station Classic Rock 101.

      Two veteran CKNW hosts, Bill Good and Philip Till, retired last week. Program director Ian Koenigsfest wasn't ready to tell me who will replace them in the morning-drive and late-morning slots, saying the announcement will come later this month.

      Simi Sara (middle) has no plans to retire from CKNW Radio!
      Charlie Smith

      Also on-scene were a large number of broadcasters from other stations.

      Broadcasters Anne Drewa and Fiona Forbes were on the Global BC float.
      Charlie Smith

      In 2011, Georgia Straight reporter Carlito Pablo broke the story of a new Filipino Canadian LGBT group called Pinoy Pride. Pablo, who hails from the Philippines, has unearthed many other original stories over the years involving this community. Many readers will be pleased to know that Pinoy Pride is stronger than ever.

      Pinoy Pride is alive and well in Vancouver.
      Charlie Smith

      It wouldn't be Pride without a strong presence from the fetish community. Sin City is a regular at the parade, and this year was no exception.

      Pride always brings out the fetish wear.
      Charlie Smith

      This has been a breakthrough year in Vancouver for the trans community. The Vancouver park board and school board have both passed policies making their facilities far more friendly to gender-variant people. Part of the reason has been a consistent effort by the Trans Alliance Society to educate the public about their concerns.

      Advocates for the trans community won major victories this year.
      Charlie Smith

      Comments

      14 Comments

      william

      Aug 3, 2014 at 6:59pm

      thought there would be more pics.....

      Scott Place

      Aug 3, 2014 at 7:16pm

      DJ Scotty Evil rocking it behind the scenes with Anne Drewa and Fiona Forbes for the 2nd straight year!

      Naturalmystic

      Aug 3, 2014 at 8:41pm

      No way in hell there was 650k at the parade. Does any rational person believe you can put that many people over 30 city blocks, 50 city blocks? The numbers are a lie and the media, organizers, city should be ashamed.

      mikey

      Aug 3, 2014 at 9:00pm

      what an awesome day!

      Well...

      Aug 4, 2014 at 12:53am

      I'd take humanism over feminism any day.

      whack

      Aug 4, 2014 at 5:40am

      Celebrate debauchery!

      mary lou......straight and proud

      Aug 4, 2014 at 8:17am

      put some clothes on!!!! you look ridiculous!!!

      Statsman

      Aug 4, 2014 at 11:43am

      I agree 650,000 is a gross exaggeration as was 400,000 for any night of the fireworks. I don't understand why they (city & media) have been doing this for more than a few years now? Maybe to boost Vancouver compared to cities like Toronto which gets larger numbers at their Pride and Caribana festival/parades?
      It has to be some kind of marketing &/or political ploy. Remember how Robertson/Vision lied about a million cyclist trips across the Burrard Bridge.
      If we look deeper there is probably something that has to do with big money buried somewhere under the propaganda.
      By the way I love the fireworks and the Pride parade, just don't lie to me about them!

      jZee52

      Aug 4, 2014 at 11:55am

      A float promoting Russian vodka first up? Really?

      Forest

      Aug 4, 2014 at 12:08pm

      I much prefer the politicos to the corporations. A bunch of vanilla straight people pretending they're queer on a corporate float. Hunh. And Telus sucks.