VANCOUVER, July 25, 2011 /CNW/ - There's less than a week to go before Vancouverites turn up the volume and get 'loud and proud' for the annual Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival. For the second year in a row, TD will be the presenting co-sponsor of Vancouver Pride.

"TD is a strong supporter of the LGBT community and sponsors 15 Pride festivals across North America and a number of LGBT events in Greater Vancouver," said Jane Russell, Senior Vice President, TD Bank Group. "TD welcomes customers from the LGBT community and we strive to make our branches welcoming, friendly and supportive."

To celebrate TD's commitment to diversity, this year it has launched a new video called "Proud to Be TD" which will be unveiled during the official Vancouver Pride Society media launch on July 25. In the video, TD will feature employees who work at the company because of its commitment to fostering an inclusive culture for all employees including those from the LGBT community. TD's Employee Pride Network - which is over 1,800 strong in 11 cities - shapes the company's strategy and employees participate in finding ways to make the bank more comfortable for people who identify as LGBT.

"Vancouver Pride Society is pleased to again have TD as a key partner in delivering one of Vancouver's most exciting summer festivals," said Ken Coolen, President, Vancouver Pride Society. "TD's commitment to diversity and the LGBT community is evident all year round and the company's enthusiastic participation in Vancouver Pride helps to make this a successful summer event."

TD's Vancouver Pride 2011 highlights include:

Friday July 29, 2011 - Caya Davie Street Dance Party

• TD Photo Experience with your favourite TD Boy, TD Girl or the TD Drag Queen
• TD Caravan will blast the tunes and offer free ice cream
• TD Drag Queen performance on the main stage at 9:45 p.m.

Sunday July 31, 2011 - Pride Parade in Vancouver's West End

• TD Caravan will be converted into an amazing Pride Parade float that will begin at Robson Street at noon and end at Sunset Beach
• TD employees will hand out green beads to the crowd from noon to 3 p.m. along the parade route

Sunday July 31, 2011 - Sunset Beach Pride Day Festival

• Top talent will perform all afternoon on the TD Main Stage
• Performances from the TD Dancers and the TD Drag Queen at 3 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. on the TD Main Stage
• Photo opportunity with TD personalities (TD Boys and TD Girls or the TD drag queen) all afternoon at the TD booth at Sunset Beach
• Cool off at the TD Misting Station at Sunset Beach or take a break from the crowds and chill out at one of two TD Comfort Zones

Vancouver Pride is one of Canada's premier celebrations of culture and diversity. It is the largest celebration of the lesbian, gay bi-sexual and transgender community in Western Canada and is one of the leading events of its kind in the world. This year's Pride Parade and Festival in Vancouver is expected to attract more than 700,000 spectators.

For more information on the festival and related events, go to www.vancouverpride.ca

For more information on TD's involvement in Vancouver Pride and other summer diversity festivals, go to http://www.td.com/corporateresponsibility/diversity/festivals/index.jsp

About TD Bank Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (TD). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves more than 19 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with approximately 7 million online customers. TD had CDN$630 billion in assets on April 30, 2011. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.