Two groups with opposing views faced off near Front and Church Street today.
A Christian group and its supporters say they're advocating for free speech.
Speaking to our sister station CP24, this participant says they want to support street preacher David Lynn who was arrested and charged with causing a disturbance in the gay village, during Pride Month in June.
"We like to go on the streets and we like to reach those who are alcoholics, drug addicts, broken, depressed - people who are rejected by society - we want to welcome them and show them the love of Jesus Christ in us."
Members of the LGBTQ community held a counter-rally - the "Unite for Love" rally - saying the religious group has homophobic views.
City councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam spoke to reporters earlier in the day, "Street preachers coming into the community with amplified speakers, projecting a message of sinners, telling us that we needed to repent, shouting down messages and basically casting judgement and dispersion and I think for many members of the LGBTQ community that was just not okay."
"They felt rather judged and they felt unsafe," Wong-Tam continues, "So, we wanted to make ensure there was a counter narrative and that was really important to us."
Mayor John Tory also dropped by the Gay Village to show his support.
"My job, my responsibility, my passion is to bring people together in the city and when there is a threat, when there are people who are out promoting division and polarization and stigmitization against the LGBTQ community, or anybody else, I think it's my job to stand up and say no that's not the way we live here, that's not what we're about in Toronto and to register that message which is why I was here today."
Tory also commented on working with Toronto Police to ensure today's rallies didn't get ugly.
"We're all very committed to trying to make sure that people could exercise their rights, but at the same time it didn't turn into anything that was nasty or God-forbid, violent and hopefully I think we've succeeded at that."
"I just wish the other demonstrations that try to polarize and divide weren't happening, but at the end of the day, we live in a country where. thank goodness, you can go out and voice your opinions and as long as you don't venture off into the territory of hate, you do that."
Now, the mayor made those comments early this morning.
While at the height of both rallies, things remained non-violent, there were some heated exchanges between the two sides.
After many had dispersed hours later, things got tense near King and Yonge Streets between some members from both sides of the debate.
There was a large police presence throughout the day to ensure things remained peaceful.