Fighting for the rights of queer people has always been a core message of Toronto's Pride Festival and after 29 years in the making, this year's theme is going back to its roots.

Pride executive director Tracey Sandilands says the 2009 "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" theme is emphasizing that as much as we have rights for queer people now, we can't assume that they will always be there.

"They can be taken away at anytime, the tide can be turned and for that reason we cannot stop and we will not stop fighting for equality for queer people all over the world," she says.

Sandilands says what's happening south of the border -- California's ban against gay marriages -- is not the only motivation for this year's theme, because there's many countries around the world where homosexuality is still criminalized.

The year's Grand Marshall is transgender lesbian activist Victor Juliet Mukasa from Uganda, a country where homosexuality is criminalized.

"This year our focus is specifically on Africa, and we look at what people in the continent go through just to be out."

"Human rights for queer people is a big part of our message. We have a focus on keeping an eye on what's happening around the world," Sandilands says.

As important as this year's theme is, the expanding theme of inclusivity is more evident than ever before.

Sandilands says there's an array of events for men, women, transsexuals and a specific family pride section to make the festival "family friendly."

"We're creating a space for people with children at Church Street Junior Public School."

"There's a family pride contingent in the parade, and we try to make sure that we don't have them walking next to the naked men." she says.

There's also a "free zone," which is an alcohol and drug-free area for those recovering from addiction or those who just prefer to be in an alcohol-free environment.

The whole idea is to make the festival inclusive as possible so that everyone feels welcome, Sandilands says.

Venues and events range from beer gardens, poetry readings, arts and theatre to alternative queer music during this year's festival that runs from June 19 to 28.

Last year's Pride weekend drew 1.5 million people and about 5,000 people took part in the parade's 134 floats. This year, the organization already has 160 registered floats or marching groups.

Sandilands says there's no reason to believe that numbers will drop this year despite the economic slowdown, because the parade and most of the festival events are free admission.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada, which will be commemorated in the "Looking Forward, Looking Back" gala.

Sandilands says her team is excited that the Pride parade will be covered live on CP24 and the entire event will be streamed on CP24.com.

"We think it's absolutely wonderful. The exposure and coverage that we're getting this year is really putting us into another league entirely," she says.

"The more we can raise awareness for Pride and what we stand for -- not just around Canada but around the world."