The rainy skies couldn’t keep residents from the streets of downtown Sunday for the Capital Pride Parade.

The annual parade caps off a week of celebrations around Ottawa’s LGBTQ community.

“It’s partially political and it’s partially fun,” said Tom Brogan, who attended the parade with his partner and their 2.5 year old son. “The movement means a lot to us; to our family. We wouldn’t exist without them.”

The heart pounding music, dancing and floats filled the parade route with people dressed in every colour of the rainbow. 

“I was not out for a long time so I would barely even come to watch the parade,” said Karen Munrow Caple, who marched in the parade. “Then I was hauled in off the side to get on a float and then I started walking.” 

10-year-old Charlie Lowthian Rickert served as the parade’s Grand Marshal. The transgender youth is a well-known advocate for transgender people and their freedom to use the bathroom of their choice. This year's parade theme was Bathrooms without Borders. 

“Most of my friends have had it worse than I have. So I haven’t experienced it,” she said. “ But because I am proud and because I persevere, I can let other people who are more scared raise their voice and find their inner path to pride.” 

The parade started off on a somber note, with participants holding the names of the victims killed at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. 

“It’s an incredible opportunity to come together as a community and to share this moment as one big city,” said one participant at the front of the parade. 

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson participated in the event, as did Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau and the President of the Ottawa Police Association Matt Skof. Dozens of officers, many in uniform, also took part in the colourful event. 

Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement were also at the parade, chanting, among other things, “Trans Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter.” 

“I think we had most of the people on the side cheering us on,” said Mikayla Vattiata with Ottawa Black Diaspora Coalition. “We had some folks who didn’t really want to support our movement but we were able to continue and make our message heard and I think we achieved that today.” 

Pride week wrapped up Sunday night after an evening of entertainment and music for the entire family.