Sunday, July 03, 2016

Justin Trudeau Makes History as First Canadian Prime Minister to Attend 'Pride'

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made history today when he attended Toronto's 2016 Pride. Trudeau's appearance at a Pride event in his official capacity as Prime Minister is a watershed moment not only for Canada but also for countries around the globe. Perhaps Trudeau's example will inspire other world leaders to use their office in helping to bring about greater awareness, empathy and acceptance of the LGBT community to societies at large.

Kathleen Wynne, Justin Trudeau and John Tory
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was accompanied at the 2016 Toronto Pride by Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, and John Tory, the Mayor of Toronto. This marks the first time that leaders from all three levels of Canadian government - Federal, Provincial and Civic - attended together. Wynne herself made history in 2013 when she became the first openly lesbian politician elected as a Premier in Canada.

On July 31, Trudeau will also be attending Vancouver Pride. Before his career in politics, Trudeau worked as a teacher in Vancouver, a city he calls his second home. Trudeau has marched in Vancouver's Pride Parade twice before but this will be his first appearance as Prime Minister of Canada.

Trudeau is a very strong advocate for LGBT rights and made Canadian history in June 2016 when he raised a Pride flag on Parliament Hill.