Gay pride week toronto 2014
A Toronto police spokesman confirmed that they received "a call for service and we're investigating." Should one person – okay, he's the mayor – should he be allowed to dictate what flags fly there? No," she said.Īlso on Friday, two uniformed officers visited the mayor's office."The police are here regarding a message we received about a potential threat to the Mayor and his family," the mayor's spokesman wrote in an e-mail. I'm sorry that Rob Ford has decided to align himself with Vladimir Putin."Ĭouncillor Sarah Doucette vowed to fight any attempt by the mayor to take the flag down, saying councillors have told the city manager they want it kept up. Yes, this stubbornness really speaks to homophobia," she said.Įarlier this week, Councillor Doug Ford said his brother the mayor is not homophobic and that he has gay friends.Ĭouncillor John Parker said "the fact that that flag is flying at this time when the world is outraged at the comments and behaviour of Vladimir Putin suits me just fine. He has never attended the city's Pride parade, but has said it is because of family obligations.Īt the time, Councillor Shelley Carroll described those remarks as "thinly veiled" homophobia, but Friday she said the mayor "took away all pretenses and all nuance." Ford told an all-candidates meeting that he would not attend this year's Pride events when Toronto hosts World Pride Day. The rainbow flag is flying on a smaller flagpole on the second-floor green roof of city hall, used to mark special occasions.Įarlier this week, Mr. She and Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly issued a joint statement in support of the flag.Ī large Canadian flag is a permanent fixture in Nathan Phillips Square, flying near the landmark Henry Moore sculpture. It dovetails into the Canadian values we already know, which is standing up for human rights," she said. "It doesn't take anything away from Canada. John's are flying the rainbow flag during the Olympics. Wong-Tam said cities from Vancouver to St. "I think he is clearly demonstrating that he is homophobic, that he is bigoted." "I believe Rob Ford is letting it all hang loose," Ms.Wong-Tam said. Ford left his office Friday saying he still wants the flag down.Ĭouncillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, an openly gay member of council, helped to organize the flag raising at the request of PrideHouseTO and a community centre located in the city's gay village.
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The flag was put up following established protocol, a memo from City Manager Joe Pennachetti confirmed.ĭespite an attempt at compromise by one councillor, Mr. Ford said he was asking the city manager to take the flag down, but a spokeswoman for the city said no request was received.
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I put my Canadian flag up in the window," Mr. No I do not agree with putting up the rainbow flag. This is not about someone's sexual preference. This is about being patriotic to your country.
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On his way outside to inspect his work, he expressed his dismay to reporters. Ford responded to the flag-raising by putting up a large Canadian flag in his office window over the front doors of city hall. Toronto's controversial mayor caused a commotion Friday, demanding the flag come down less than an hour after it was raised on the ceremonial flag pole at city hall – a show of support being made by several Canadian cities for the LGBTQ community in light of Russia's anti-gay laws.
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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is being called homophobic after he took exception to the flying of the rainbow flag at city hall during the Olympics, saying the games are about "being patriotic to your country" and not about "sexual preference."