[URBAN NOTE] On the homophobia of Rob Ford
Feb. 7th, 2014 11:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rfmcdonaldBlogTO and Torontoist were two local blogs that carried the high-profile story that Rob Ford wanted the rainbow flag taken down from City Hall. (Towleroad was one international blog that reported it.) The flag was raised as a gesture of support for Russia's LGBT community, facing persecution at the time of the Olympics; Ford wanted none of that. Perhaps fortunately, as CBC noted the decision to raise the flag or lower it was not the mayor's.
Earlier this month, Ford has stated that he wouldn't be attending WorldPride in June because he wasn't that sort of person. (This fits with a long history of homophobic statements and actions, as a simple Google search would reveal.) So, yes, homophobia is definitely one of our mayor's many demonstrable faults.
The city's protocol officer is the only one who decides what flags fly from the city hall`s "courtesy" pole. That pole hosts all sorts of flags during the year — for autism week, fair trade, and to honour the national days of dozens of countries, from Azerbaijan to Israel. The Canadian flag is always flying on several other poles around city hall.
City Manager Joe Pennachetti sent a letter to the mayor and councillors reminding them of flag protocol on Friday afternoon.
Pennachetti noted the rainbow flag is flying at the request of the 519 Church Street Community Centre, the heart of Toronto's LGBT community, and will remain flying for the duration of the Olympics.
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly said he supports keeping the rainbow flag up, saying it sends a message to the host country, which has been under fire for its anti-gay laws.
"There's no antagonism between the two flags," said Kelly. "Cities right across the country are doing this. This is an expression of Canadianism."
In protest, Ford placed a Canadian flag in his office window. Upon leaving city hall Friday evening, he said he still wants the rainbow flag removed.
The incident drew criticism from Toronto's only openly gay city councillor.
"I think he's clearly demonstrating that he's homophobic — that he is bigoted," Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam told CBC News.
Earlier this month, Ford has stated that he wouldn't be attending WorldPride in June because he wasn't that sort of person. (This fits with a long history of homophobic statements and actions, as a simple Google search would reveal.) So, yes, homophobia is definitely one of our mayor's many demonstrable faults.
