Rob Ford made time Friday to fete 12 young people heading to the United Kingdom to represent Canada in a cricket match but the mayor won’t be available to attend another event at city hall on Monday — the official kickoff to Pride Week festivities….!
The annual Pride flag-raising event happens at noon Monday on the podium roof at city hall. Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam will lead the event, along with Pride co-chairs Francisco Alvarez and Luka Amona.
Ford showed up at a Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) flag-raising event at city hall last month after saying he didn’t plan to attend. The move earned Ford praise from some of his loudest critics, including councillors Adam Vaughan and Gord Perks.
The mayor made his long weekend plans clear back in April when he said he wouldn’t be attending the Pride parade on July 1 because he’s going to his family cottage in Muskoka, as he does every year. He was criticized for not attending the parade or any Pride-related events last year.
Back in April when he was asked if he’d attend any Pride-related events this year, other than the parade, he said “We’ll take it event by event.”
Are you disappointed that our Mayor isn’t making more of an effort to support the gay/lesbian community? Any message for Mayor Rob Ford?
6 Comments User Comments
Add a commentEVH
June 22, 2012
6:08 pm
I could care less if Rob Ford does not attend. In fact I would do the same. The guy doesn’t take a salary, is working to fix Miller’s financial mess and all anyone cares about is his weight and wether he attends the gay pride freaks show event. Get David Miller to stand in, that’s about all he was able to do right as mayor.
Jb
June 22, 2012
10:19 pm
I think everyone is entitled to his /her opinion.Mr. ford should have his choices respected too.Why are you all forcing him to do what he does’nt want to do.?
Catherine Jenereaux
June 25, 2012
11:20 am
I agree. People make choices in life as to how they live their lives. Why do they have to be shoved down our throats. Mayor Ford although he is to represent all citizens of Toronto does not have to take part in festivities that go against his Christian or otherwise belief. I personally have no problem with the Gay/Lesbian community I just don’t want to have it paraded in front of me or my family.
RainbowRay
June 23, 2012
11:07 am
In the immortal words of Dori Day, “Que Sera Sera, Whatever WIll Be Will Be!” and life goes on! Is he still going to his annual family barbecue on July 1? HA! HA!
LOVE
RainbowRay
johnfreeway
June 23, 2012
12:34 pm
it has probably been said before if he is a christian tyhis would not allow him to support any gay activitey none the less he is entitled to his opinion or have we forgotten what price freedom hats off to you mr. mayor
Trish
June 24, 2012
9:06 am
Granted, on a personal level, Rob Ford is entitled to his opinion but as Mayor of the city of Toronto he should make an appearance. Gay Pride week is not just a Toronto event, it brings in tourist dollars from the U.S. and other countries. I have heard that next year Toronto is hosting International Pride Week, what is he going to do then? Is he going to disgrace Canada in front of the world? When he took on the role of Mayor I guess he should have read the fine print which requires him to attend public events whether he supports them personally or not. If the rest of us decided to avoid business meetings, meet and greets etc. we would be fired for sure. The workplace is not the forum for expressing your personal opinions. Rob Ford should wear a sign saying “open mouth, insert foot.” How he got elected in the first place is beyond me, he is nothing more than a power hungry control freak with a big mouth, his weight loss attempt being a perfect example. Had he kept his big mouth shut, he might not have made such a public ass of himself. He is a disgrace to the city of Toronto, a city he is doing his best to destroy and will destroy if he is elected for another term. Wake up Toronto!