Trump denounced, Trudeau marched: Pride celebrations across North America

Pridewas celebrated differently across North America, withthe East coast takingon a more political tone and theWest making it more ofa party, Reuters reports. No doubt each city contained mixes of each, but perhaps the strains were detectable.

The political backlashconcerned Trump, whopromised during the election to protect gay people. But his move in February to revoke the Obama administration's guidance letting transgender students choose which gender bathroom they use, and his executive order last month to promote religious liberty have been seen by some as discriminatory.

Chelsea Manning, the transgenderUSArmy soldier who served seven years in prison for leaking classified data before former President Barack Obama granted her clemency, attended Pride in New York.

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Manning, was released from a military prison in May.

honored to represent the @aclu at this years @NYCPrideMarch ???????? lost my voice from screaming so much ?? thank you ??https://t.co/qZIBuyrNRq pic.twitter.com/3C6xVZQquV — Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) June 25, 2017

A group of marchers heading down New York's Fifth Avenue carried photographs of USPresident Donald Trump and his press secretary, Sean Spicer, as others waved banners bearing the word "RESIST"and the rainbow flag of the Pride movement.

Brad Hoylman, a Democratic lawmaker in the New York State Senate, told Reuters thatlesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people were "under assault" by the Trump administration. "He already rolled back rights for transgender students, for example, and the list is on and on," he said. "So we have a lot more work to do, that's why we are here today."

NYCmarch's grand marshals this year include the American Civil Liberties Union, which was chosen for its history of litigation defending gay rights; Brooke Guinan, a transgender woman who works as a firefighter in the city; and Geng Le, a gay rights activist in China.

"Pride this year is showing that we are here, we are queer, and we are not going to sit down for anything less than full rights, full equality," said Austin Anderson, a 28-year-old advertising worker who attended the New York march.

The march route ends on Christopher Street in Manhattan's West Village to commemorate the riots that broke out there in 1969 after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, in an event seen as a turning point in the gay rights movement. New York's first Pride march started nearby the following year.

San Fran

San Francisco had a few anti-Trump signs too, but the theme of the day was letting loose. "It's too good a day to be upset about Trump," said Richard Babb, 66, of San Francisco to Reuters.

Revelers had to pass through one of dozens of metal security detectors to get into the main plaza. "Happy Pride everyone!" a security monitor yelled to the crowd, as people cheered and saluted. "Have fun today."

Two gay cousins attended the parade dressed in tutus and unicorn headbands. "We see this as a party, not a political protest," Qiaira McPeters, 18, said. Despite that, McPeters said that she feels things for gay people have been getting worse. "Gay people are getting beat up all the time," she said.

Toronto, Canada

The city known as "TO" had thousands of revellers take to the streets. Toronto Pride has recently become a morepolitical affair, with Black Lives Matter (BLM) insisting in 2016that uniformed police officersno longer have their customaryfloat or booths in future Prideparades. BLMshut down last year's parade until the demandswereagreed to, which theyeventuallywere.

Black queer lives matter #Pride2017 #prideto #BlackPride pic.twitter.com/qY6LsWGV0t — BlackLivesMatter TO (@BLM_TO) June 25, 2017

It's been a hot point of contention. Members ofBLM Toronto argued that allowing uniformed officers at the parade could discourage marginalised communities from attending, according to The Toronto Star. Toronto's BLM has inspired NYC's chapter of BLM, who made the same demand yesterday, CBC reports.

But political inclusion was on display too, as the event was attended by the city's mayor, the province's premier, and the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Love is love. #PrideTO pic.twitter.com/z2No7rdchZ — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 25, 2017

Many at Toronto Pride simply let loose and partied.

"The March seemed very safe, fun, lots of dancing in the streets and drag queens and crowds," Toronto photographerBecca Lemire told WION.

March participants carry a massive Pride flag through the streets of downtown Toronto. Photo source: Becca Lemire photography. (Others)

Seattle

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, the first openly gay person to hold that job, joined the parade with his husband, Michael Shiosaki. "Today we celebrate our unity," he said in a video posted on Twitter.

Mayor Ed Murray and husband Michael Shiosaki marching, shaking hands with parade attendees #PrideParade2017 pic.twitter.com/6VeWgZtvfi — Paige Gross (@By_paigegross) June 25, 2017

Hundreds of people marched indowntown Seattle in unusually hot weather, many in skimpy outfits and carrying pink balloons. A rainbow flag was hoisted to the top of the city's iconic Space Needle.

The Seattle Police Department, which put rainbow-colored decals on their patrol cars, said a group of people blocked the parade route for about 30 minutes to hold a sit-in in honor of Charleena Lyles, the black mother slain by city police a week ago. There were no arrests, police said.

(With inputs from agencies)