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It’s amazing what some people are willing to sacrifice just to be able to throw back a few beers by the lake.
Newly elected Toronto mayor Rob Ford could use some political protection from his American cousins right about now.
The mayor, in his infinite wisdom, has decided to skip this year’s Pride Parade in order to maintain a family tradition of partying it up in Cottage Country.
Naturally this has moved him to the top of the hit list of many, if not all, gay rights activists in Toronto. Since he took office, the outspoken mayor of the Canadian megacity has refused every olive branch extended his way by the gay community.
This Jack Frost routine of freezing out an entire segment of the population could be considered political suicide for a mayor who is still getting his feet wet in a melting pot community. Prior to the 1990s, Toronto’s mayors have always spurned the Pride Parade, despite the racist overtones of such action.
But the world has changed and the parade is now an event of choice for many sponsors hoping to grab some of the millions in tourist revenue the event brings in annually. And this mainstream acceptance has brought out the politicians.
Tolerance can reap monetary and political benefits, under the right circumstances.
It’s too bad Mayor Ford refuses to accept this.
Pride Week is a 10-day festival that kicks off Thursday.
The mayor said he still may attend other Pride-related events, but first has to “check his schedule”.
As it stands, Rob Ford could use this American political item…
Related articles
- Toronto Mayor Shuns Pride and The Gay Community (therainbowpost.com)
- Toronto mayor to skip Pride (macleans.ca)
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to skip pride parade to go to family cottage (theglobeandmail.com)
- Ford’s family defends decision to skip Pride Parade (cbc.ca)
Sounds like he belongs in the American Republican Party
I’d have to agree!
I do not like the thought of having him as mayor, so I am glad my stay in T.O was only 6 months. I know he was elected shortly after I moved there, and NO ONE had wanted him to be mayor, and yet… there he is.
Sad that he is being such a jerk about Pride! He should be thinking how it will benefit the city and his job, not his personal opinions.
Absolutely! His attitude is going to cost him dearly in the long run.