Pride Toronto in London Presents Deborah Cox and Corey Hart

Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.

London, U.K. - Grammy nominated and award winning Billboard chart toppers Corey Hart and Deborah Cox will perform this Saturday in London's Trafalgar Square as part of Pride Toronto's presence at London's WorldPride festival.

"We are honoured to have both of these Canadian music icons perform at this year's WorldPride festival in London and officially welcome the world to WorldPride 2014 in Toronto, Ontario. Corey Hart's re-recorded version of Truth Will Set You Free sends a very special message of strength and acceptance to the LGBTTIQQ2SA communities around the world, one that gives us all a reason to come together and freely celebrate who we are," said Pride Toronto co-chair, Francisco Alvarez.

Last weekend, Hart made his triumphant return to the stage at Toronto's Pride Festival, performing live for the first time in Canada in over a decade. Recognized as one of Canada's most successful singer songwriters, Hart has sold over 15 million records worldwide and amassed nine consecutive U.S. Billboard Top 40 Hits including Sunglasses at Night and Never Surrender. Over his 30-year career, he has scored an impressive 29 top 40 Hits in Canada including 11 Top 10s.

Hart's performance on Saturday will include a newly recorded dance mix version of his song Truth Will Set You Free by DJ 1love, which includes a new verse inspired by the 1998 murder of gay university student Matthew Shepard.

Internationally renowned R&B Icon Deborah Cox holds the record for the longest running # 1 on the Billboard R&B Chart for her hit Nobody's Supposed To Be Here including over a dozen #1 hits on the Billboard Dance Charts. Her music has appeared in numerous films including the award?winning dramas Hotel Rwanda and Akeelah and the Bee.

In addition to her successful recording career, Ms. Cox also conquered the Broadway stage in the title role of Elton John and Tim Rice's hit musical Aida.

"What better way for Pride Toronto to show its Canadian support than with these two incredible Canadian superstars. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Deborah Cox is a powerhouse performer that has dominated the music charts and the Broadway stage. As one of the most beloved icons of the LGBTTIQQ2SA communities, Ms. Cox has performed at Pride festivals around the world and is sure to dazzle WorldPride audiences with her fierce energy and stunning, show stopping performance style," said Pride Toronto co-chair Luka Amona.

Hart and Cox's back-to-back WorldPride performances on July 7 are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in Trafalgar Square.

In addition to Saturday's stage performance, Pride Toronto will also show its support for WorldPride London and invite the world to WorldPride 2014 in Toronto, Ontario through a streetfair booth as well as a marching continent in Saturday's procession.

Pride Toronto is the not-for-profit organization that hosts the city's Pride Festival, an annual event in downtown Toronto during the last week of June and one of the premier arts and cultural festivals in Canada. It is also one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world with an estimated attendance of over one million people. It celebrates the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto's LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. Pride Toronto is proud to host WorldPride in 2014, the fourth such event ever held, and the first in North America.

Pride Toronto is proud to welcome the world as it hosts WorldPride in 2014 from June 20-29, the fourth such event ever held, and the first in North America. WorldPride, under license from InterPride, is an international celebration incorporating activism, education, history and culture of global LGBTTIQQ2SA communities.

Website: www.pridetoronto.com |� Facebook: Pride Toronto� |� Twitter: @pridetoronto #PrideTO

*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, 2 Spirited, Allies


by Mark Thompson , EDGE Style & Travel Editor

A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.

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