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rfmcdonaldI mentioned in last night's [FORUM] post that Rob Ford had been extended an invitation to Pride Toronto by the organizing committee. The Toronto Star's David Rider has an article going into more detail.
79.23% of respondents to the poll at Derek Flack's blogTO post think he'll turn down the invitation, as it happens.
Mayor Rob Ford will receive his official invitation to Pride Toronto 2012 festivities on Monday or Tuesday, but he has already ignored an olive branch from a prominent gay member of council.
Kristyn Wong-Tam wrote to Ford on Feb. 7 offering to host receptions for him to mark International Day Against Homophobia on May 17 and Pride, which begins June 22 and ends with the big parade on Canada Day.
“I do not believe that the media fully grasps the complexity of the positions held by yourself and other members of council,” she wrote. “To that end, I think we could work together to get past these very superficial impressions” with a reception “where a respectful and representative group can speak to the most essential principles of equality.”
Wong-Tam (Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale) said Ford has not replied. Last year, he famously ignored similar entreaties to continue the previous two mayors’ decade-long tradition of attending the parade to demonstrate an acceptance of Toronto’s gay communities.
The coaxing included an Air Canada Centre tour with Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, whose late son, Brendan, was gay. Ford told reporters he was too busy to attend an event in the 10-day schedule and cited a tradition of spending the Canada Day weekend at his family cottage.
Kevin Beaulieu, Pride Toronto executive director, said Friday that invitations were being sent to Ford and his council “imminently.”
This week, Pride will host three evening public consultations on Toronto preparations to host the massive World Pride celebration in 2014.
That event will fall in the middle of what is expected to be Ford’s re-election campaign, raising the spectre of a snub heard round the world.
“World Pride is going to happen — there are a lot of events,” Beaulieu said. “Ideally we’d like to have the support of city representatives, including the mayor, to help make it a successful event.”
79.23% of respondents to the poll at Derek Flack's blogTO post think he'll turn down the invitation, as it happens.
