Toronto’s mayor and other city officials kicked-off this year’s Pride Festival with the raising of the symbolic rainbow flag and a proclamation dedicating June as Pride Month.

During a recent public ceremony at City Hall, Mayor John Tory, Toronto’s Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, City Council members and representatives from Pride Toronto helped to kick off the annual festival and celebrate the city’s proclamation.

The Pride Festival, which will run until June 25, is an international and local effort to support the gay community and encourage diversity. The event includes one of the largest annual pride parades in North America and has become a popular arts and cultural event for the city of Toronto.  

The Pride Festival “will showcase activism, diversity, history, courage and culture of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and two-spirit communities," according to a press release from the city.

Toronto, which has a diverse population, is home to approximately 2.8 million people and is North America’s fourth largest city. The city boasts being ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities. This year, Toronto will celebrate its 150th birthday with a TO Canada with Love year-long program of celebration and events.