We had a great time at the Bed Push Parade, June 16, 2017. Thanks to Samba Elégua and the fantastic volunteers and Mad-Rockers!
Images below show marchers carrying signs. If you know people and can help add a caption, please comment below.
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We had a great time marching in the Bed Push Parade – Mad Pride March in 2016. We showed our strength in the community and made lots of noise along the way! We marched from the Parkdale Library along Queen Street to Trinity Bellwoods Park.
We are moving beyond stigma. We have history. We can be awesome.
Share me and get involved in this years Parade. torontomadpride@gmail.com subject line: “Bed Push Parade”
By Alfredo Mascarenhas – originally posted to Flickr as II Parada do Orgulho Louco, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7102426
Mad Pride Toronto invites you and your organization to create signs and banners to show off your pride at this years Bed-Push.
Marches are more fun and powerful when banners show solidarity and a great sense of humour. Especially when they include Mad-Puns: “Madvocates move me”, “I am Mad about equality”, “Truly Madly Deeply”, “MadInfo makes you Madawesome”. Here is some inspiration from France ( lamadpride@gmail.com).
Do you have questions about making signs and banners? We will have a sign party closer to the March, but stay in touch and talk to your organization now.
The Bed Push symbolizes and celebrates Mad peoples’ journey from the institution to the community:
Patients left hospitals like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to live in the community.
OR
Involuntary patients / inmates escaped from institutions like CAMH and found their own rights and opportunities for self-determination, empowerment.
In 2015, the Bed Push went from Parkdale Library to Trinity Bellwoods Park a lovely walk that drew support, spread our voice and ended with terrific food.
Sounds and cheers were carried by the bed neé stretcher.
At the end of the march shady trees were a blessed sight!
Please join us this year on the Bed Push. We need volunteers NOW to plan the Bed Push. We also need volunteers on the day to help with carrying signs, food, sleepy people and marshals, media relations, and cheerleaders.
Looking forward to meeting you and talking soon.
Mad Pride 2014