Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow takes the stage with drag queen for Pride Month

Toronto mayor Olivia Chow kicked off Pride celebrations last Friday by taking the stage at a local gay bar alongside a drag queen. After reminiscing about the past, the pair performed a dance and lip-sync routine. 

A number of Pride events are set to take place across the city this weekend, including a Trans March on Friday, Dyke March on Saturday, and Pride Parade on Sunday. Thousands are expected to attend. 

"It's not Pride until we get to Woody's, right?" Chow said per footage shot by journalist Étienne Fortin-Gauthier, garnering a cheer from the audience. She went on to explain that she had been visiting the iconic Church Street bar since the 1980's, but that that was her first time there as mayor. 

"It's so wonderful," she continued. "I'm here with a whole lot of friends; a lot of old friends, new friends. You know tonight just within a few minutes, I met a few folks that just came to Canada, and they came to Toronto, and guess what? They come to Woody's to find family, to find community, to find friends, to find dates." 

The mayor described Toronto as "the place to be especially for Pride month," adding that this year, she wanted to ensure the city had "the best Pride parade ever." She called on those in attendance to "cheer really loudly" when her float goes by. 

"Happy Pride everybody!" she shouted, before the drag queen to her right grabbed the mic and announced that it was time for some singing and dancing. The duo proceeded to groove and lip-sync along to Sister Sledge's We Are Family, as the crowd cheered. 

Toronto's Pride events are among the largest in the country, and as of late more parents are bringing their children along to watch. In recent years, some participants have been criticized over costumes and performances not appropriate for younger attendees.