Pressure mounts on Mayor Ford to get with Pride program
Posted June 23, 2011 5:56 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – The heat is on Mayor Rob Ford to reconsider attending the Pride Parade, instead of spending the holiday weekend at his family cottage in Huntsville.
A news blog known as the “Daily Brew” suggested the mayor’s brother, Doug Ford, is prepared to leave the family cottage and quoted him as saying, “he’ll try to bring the mayor with him.”
Critics and Toronto’s gay community did not take to well to the mayor’s choosing the family cottage over the mayoral tradition of marching in the Pride Parade. Ford said his cottage vacation is a 30-year tradition.
“It’s been a tradition with my family,” Ford told CityNews.
“Ever since I’ve been a little boy, we always used to go up north to our cottage,” he added. “We’ve been in Huntsville for as long as I can remember. I’m carrying on the tradition that my father had”
Ford has also turned down invites to pre-pride events, and will not attend the ceremonial pride flag raising at City Hall on Monday.
Despite family traditions, City Councillor Josh Matlow said Ford has an obligation to attend.
“This event is one of the more important, not only to our LGBT community, but it is a strong tourist event, it’s an economic generator, it’s something that all Torontonians should be proud of,” Matlow told 680News.
“There are sometimes that we’d all like to be up at the cottage, but we have a responsibility to be there for our residents,” he added. “It sends a message to many members of the Toronto community that this mayor has decided not to both support and reflect the diversity of our city.”
Critics of the mayor’s decision have said it sends a clear message that he does not support the diversity of the city. On Twitter, one member of the gay community tweeted that he is offended, but the benefit is not having to see the mayor. Others in the community have accused him of being homophobic.
On the other hand, supporters believe it’s a legitimate excuse, while others are saying the parade is not important enough that the mayor should change his plans and it is a non-issue.
Three of Ford’s predecessors attended the Pride Parade, which attracts more than a million people and generates several million dollars.
