No plan to cancel parade despite nudity, say police
Gay Pride event 'went well'
By Bruce DeMara
Toronto Star City Hall Bureau
Metro police are not planning to cancel next year's Lesbian and Gay Pride parade and have not expressed concerns about nudity at this year's event, a police spokesperson says.
"No, we're not cancelling the parade," said Sergeant Marilyn McCann yesterday.
A story in The Toronto Sun yesterday, quoting Sergeant Peter Harmsen, suggested police would step in and stop next year's parade after witnessing nudity and other disturbing incidents last weekend.
But McCann said Deputy Chief Robert Molyneaux, the supervising officer at the parade, expressed no concerns except in regard to crowding along the parade route down Yonge St. - something that will be dealt with prior to next year's event.
"The parade went well," McCann said.
"There's no concern about nudity or obscenity. We have not received any complaints at this time."
Metro police Sergeant Jim Muscat said he believes Harmsen's quotes were taken out of context after a hypothetical question was posed to him. Muscat added Harmsen's views don't "reflect how the police services feels."
Pride committee co-chairperson Doug Dent said it was a surprise when a group of male nudists - without the permission of the committee - walked naked for a portion of the parade.
"It was inappropriate and it's a shame it happened," he said.
He said all participants fill out applications agreeing to a variety of criteria, including adherence to the law.
"(The group's) participation next year will have to be looked at. That doesn't mean they're going to be barred. We're not in the business of censoring," Dent said.
"But either people participate according to the basic standards we set or . . . they need to find some other kind of parade."
Toronto Councillor Pam McConnell said she enjoyed the parade.
"I didn't think (the parade) was over the top, I thought it was a hoot," she said. "I didn't see anybody offended by (anything)."