Monthly Archives: July 2014

(Original link at Metro.)

Phoebe Ho

Published on Thurs June 26 2014

More than 110 couples can now claim they had a wedding worthy of a celebrity–complete with a red-carpet entrance, media coverage, a prestigious guest list and a landmark castle in the backdrop.

But that wasn’t what made the mass Grand Pride wedding a signature event of the World Pride celebrations, at Casa Loma on Thursday special.

For many, who flew to Toronto from countries like Australia, Taiwan and Ghana, where same-sex marriage is illegal, it was a dream come true to finally be able to openly celebrate their love and tie the knot with the full support of the community at the largest LGBTQ Pride wedding ever in North America.

For Nora, 64, and Erna, 66, it marked a significant milestone in their 40-year-old love story.

The pair met at a bus stop by their university in the Philippines. They were “secret lovers,” who were eventually forced apart … Read the rest

(Original link at Toronto Sun.)

Happy couples take part in a Grand Pride Wedding at Casa Loma in Toronto on Thursday June 26, 2014. A total of 110 couples were married in the group ceremony, the largest group ceremony of its kind. (Dave Abel/Toronto Sun/QMI Agency)

Angela Hennessy, Toronto Sun

Published on Mon June 26 2014

TORONTO – Over 100 same-sex couples said “I do” at Casa Loma Thursday afternoon.

The Grand Pride Wedding saw 110 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) couples from around the world tie the knot at a monumental and historical event that celebrated both love and the ongoing WorldPride event in Toronto.

“This is really an honour to be part of history like this and to be part of this event,” said Inae Lee who married her partner of two years, Jen Chang Ho. “This is super amazing that they are having this for us and everyone has been so welcoming.”

There were over … Read the rest

(Original link at Huffington Post Canada.)

The Huffington Post Canada

Published on Thurs June 26 2014

Whether you love or hate weddings, it’s hard to deny the complete and absolute thrill of watching two people in love join their lives together. And when a couple is doing it despite despite so much adversity, it’s all the more poignant.

At Toronto’s Grand Pride Wedding held today at Casa Loma, 110 couples said “I do” to each other in what was likely a historic event. As announced in May, the wedding included Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, New Thought, and Humanist officiants in order to serve everyone present with the opportunity to be wed.

Toronto at its best, etc! RT @CBCharlsie: 12 different faiths represented here @PrideWeddingTO #sl pic.twitter.com/nFvoGJCLFN #prideweddingTO

— Pride Wedding TO (@PrideWeddingTO) June 26, 2014

Some couples came from countries where their unions would be illegal, like Cindy Su and Lana Yu, who travelled from Taiwan.

Meet

(Original link at CP24; includes video.)

Over 100 gay couples participate in a mass wedding during WorldPride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, Ont., on Thursday, June 26, 2014. (The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese)

Diana Mehta, The Canadian Press

Published on Thurs June 26 2014

TORONTO — Inae Lee knows she won’t have the support of her South Korean parents as she weds her partner in Toronto today, but she’s hoping the 109 other couples tying the knot beside her will make up for her family’s rejection of her relationship.

Lee will be just one of the participants in a mass wedding for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited couples, which is considered the first of its kind in Canada.

The Grand Pride Wedding will involve couples from across Canada as well as participants from countries where same sex marriage is illegal.

For Lee, the event is historically significant.

“In my parents’ mind they don’t believe that this can be … Read the rest