My most memorable pride moment was in my mid twenties when I finally found Vazoween, aka Will Munro’s Vazaleen Halloween Party, Gay Shame. Up until that point I had no idea that there was an alternative queer scene in Toronto, or at least not one that I could identify with. Gay Shame was an awesome party!
I ended up meeting a lot of my now long time friends at those parties. They told me that they were living in the west end near Parkdale, and that there were a lot of like minded people moving there. Shortly afterwards I emigrated to Parkdale where I have lived now for almost 6 years.
I really started to come into my queer freakish self at that point in my life and I really have Will Munro to thank for that. Without him I still might have never found my queer niche community in Parkdale or made any of the long time alliances and friendships that have so affected my career and my overall sense of safety and happiness.