While the celebrations appeared somewhat different this year, thousands showcased vibrant rainbow colors in downtown Ottawa yesterday, Sunday, to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in the capital.

More than 100 groups and over 5,000 protesters participated in the parade, along with the grand marshal and the honorary group this year, according to the organizers.

Haley Robinson, the general supervisor of the parade, said: "It's always been about elevating marginalized voices, using my voice, and creating space for everyone."

The annual Capital Pride parade started on Elgin Street at 1 PM. After the parade, a large number of activities, including drag shows and DJs, entertained the crowds that chose to stay.

This year's parade route was shortened to about half the length of previous years.

Capital Pride organizers said they had to change the parade route less than a week before the event because the Ottawa Police Service did not provide enough officers to support the safe closure of the roads.

Despite the controversy, most of the parade proceeded as planned. This year, there was significant participation from pro-Palestinian demonstrators in the crowd.

Robinson said: "Pride was never meant to make people feel comfortable; it's about creating these conversations and talking about these issues."

The City of Ottawa, the mayor, local hospitals, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and dozens of private and public organizations were among the main groups that chose not to participate in the parade, but many council members and school board trustees still took to the streets.

Lyra Evans, a trustee with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, who was among a large group of Ottawa-Carleton Board staff that participated in the parade despite the board’s earlier decision not to participate, stated: "It's really important that we show our support for the community, and to back down at the last minute really undermines the solidarity and support you're trying to show for the community throughout the rest of the year."