[URBAN NOTE] "Rob Ford and Pride Toronto"

[rfmcdonald]

Xtra!'s Andrea Houston has assembled a range of opinions on the invitation to Pride issued by the organizing committee. While I understand the emotional reactions of people who wonder why Ford should have been invited at all, given his past record of homophobia, I also think that it was important that the point be made, clearly and publically, that if Ford wasn't attending it wasn't for lack of opportunities.

Canadian playwright Brad Fraser used his Facebook wall to blast PT over its decision to invite Ford, encouraging followers to write to the PT board and express disappointment and frustration.

“The decision to invite Rob Ford to attend this year's Pride event is a slap in the face of any gay person who has a shred of self-worth. Pride Toronto has lost my support in every way, and, if Ford decides to appear at any event, I will do everything I can to ensure that event is dominated by people who hate homophobia. This is an extreme and upsetting failure,” Fraser said.

Xtra contributor Serafin LaRiviere also weighed in: “It amazes me that while this man has declared all-out war on many of us, there are still some who try to cater to him. I understand that [Ward 27 city councillor] Kristyn Wong-Tam needs to be polite and appear evenhanded, particularly if she runs for mayor herself at some point, but Pride Toronto needs to find its balls/tits and make a stand.”

Giorgio Mammoliti, Houston notes, also received an invitation. The creepiness inherent in his video makes the case for an official invite less compelling, but what the hell?

Also receiving an invitation from PT is Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, who made a controversial appearance at the Dyke March last year, where he followed women around and videotaped participants. Mammoliti said he wanted to document what he determined to be “hate speech.”

“That was an uncomfortable situation and made many people feel unsafe,” [Dyke March team leader Amber] Moyle says. “Do we want someone there who will make people feel unwelcome? People felt policed. They felt like they were being watched and a city councillor was questioning their actions. That is not what the Dyke March is about.”