[URBAN NOTE] The final word on Rob Ford's homophobia

[rfmcdonald]

In the comments to yesterday's post regarding a guest on the brothers Ford's radio show who launched into all sorts of homophobic speech without getting a reprimand, suitablyemoname alerted me to what's probably the definitive word on whether or not Rob Ford is a homophobe. In his words?

All he has to do--literally--is read a two-minute proclamation, get his photo taken shaking a few hands, and he can move on with his life. He won't even do that. He doesn't even have to touch a gay person: this is PFLAG, so if he only wants to be photographed with heterosexual grandmothers, that's entirely possible to arrange. But this is evidently still a bridge too far.

He's a homophobe.

The Globe and Mail's article is below.

Mayor Rob Ford is passing up another opportunity to support the gay and lesbian community, this time opting to skip a flag-raising outside his office that will be attended by Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke.

The Toronto chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays has confirmed that Mr. Ford turned down its invitation to a flag-raising to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Nathan Phillips Square on May 17.

The event was considered among the likeliest to draw the reluctant mayor – it’s low-key, conveniently located and not part of the formal Pride Week celebrations.

Irene Miller, the president of Toronto PFLAG, began sending the mayor’s office invitations in February.

In a letter she called warm and gracious, the mayor’s office replied in late April that Mr. Ford couldn’t fit the event into his schedule.

“We will continue to keep that door open in the hopes that … the mayor will one day come with us,” Ms. Miller said.

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, whose ward includes the Gay Village, described the May 17 event as “gentle” and “welcoming.” Among the confirmed guests is Mr. Burke, whose late son was gay.

“It would have been wonderful to see the mayor there,” she said. “In many ways, it might have taken the question away about whether or not he supports the LGBT community.”

The mayor will sign the proclamation – as he does for every official day or week the city proclaims through its protocol office – but Councillor Gord Perks will read it in his stead.