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Organizers said Sunday’s turnout looked like one of the largest in its 38-year history. While Black Lives Matter and aboriginal trans activist Natasha Adsit were calling for greater inclusion of black, First Nations, trans and other people of colour, major business floats were more visible than ever with everyone from Safeway, to RBC, Telus, the Liberal and NDP parties making their presence known.

Pride veteran Oliv Howe, who was gowned in yards of frothy white tulle and bedazzled with rhinestones, said he recalled marching in the first pride parade decades ago, well before it became the place to see and be seen.

“Some people marched with bags over their heads to hide their faces, and bystanders pelted us with eggs,” he said.

Howe has seen a lot of changes in the event over the years, but isn’t fazed by the corporatization of the parade.

“The corporate involvement concerns me less than groups making individual demands of the parade. Some people have chosen not to participate, which is their right, but we battled our ass off for years just to get the police into the parade.”

Howe said that he believes “systemic, institutionalized racism and discrimination has to be addressed,” but added, “you don’t get anywhere if you stop building bridges and start building walls.”

Young Raphael Sandoval-Ewan, aged 12, who attended with his father, Jerry Ewan had some wise words to share about Pride. “I’m here because Pride helps support people that are LGBTQ, to let them know they are not alone in the world.”

Brook Schmidt, who is in recovery in Surrey, joined the loud and proud Clean & Sober float to celebrate Pride and sobriety.

Harlan Pruden, a First Nations Cree activist and curator of this year’s Out on Screen, joined the parade in brilliantly-coloured regalia. “I’m here to increase the visibility of the Two-Spirit community. We pre-date Columbus, we were here before colonization, and we’re still here,” he said.

Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson was also at the parade, along with a strong City of Vancouver contingent.

The parade started at Robson and Thurlow, and ended at Sunset beach.