Ford's stand-in, councillor Frances Nunziata was booed unmercifully by the crowd; which begs the question - why so much disdain for the absence of a man with numerous examples of bigotry and shortsightedness when it comes to minority groups and ethnicity?
Instead of attending the Pride launch party, Ford had a confidential meeting with Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, an advocate for gay rights whose son Brendan struggled with coming out before he was killed at age 21 in a car accident last year. Burke has confirmed his participation in the march, declining to discuss Ford's absence; "I do not view it as my place to criticize the mayor of this city for a decision such as this one."
Now that's what I call a responsible answer to an impossible question.
In hopes of not making unfounded generalizations; we can assume that the city's gay community did not flock to the ballots to support Ford. Much of the urbanites dwelling in the city's core didn't either according to voting statistics, and the gay community has George Smitherman, a veteran politician and proud homosexual who had done much in the past both for the gay community and the downtown neighbourhood on Church Street many call home.
If I was a part of a fledgling minority group who knew the Mayor didn't support my cause, would I be angry he's refused in invitation to Pride festivities? Not at all. It would be a disingenuous appearance at best, and to Ford's credit, why would he want to be part of a celebration that would likely see him mocked by large groups?
The story is splashed across the front page of many of the city's papers, most with a picture of the oft-smiling Ford being grilled by reporters and Nunziata looking as bewildered as a deer stuck firmly in the headlights of an oncoming 18-wheeler. It's to be expected from many arms of the media such Anti-Ford posturing, but it's becoming a case of Much Ado About Nothing as far as I'm concerned.
I'm not a big supporter of Rob Ford, more so for his stance on the arts and bicycle lanes prior to his appointment, then for his bigotry. Fact is, the man is our Mayor and he has since changed his positioning on a few key postulates, including the installation of bike lanes amongst others, and all signs point to fiscal responsibility amidst a mess of non-partisan opinions and needs at City Hall.
Is he the ideal Mayor for a city built on multi-ethnicities and the needs of minority groups? Probably not.
Should he be scolded for refusing to attend festivities which he clearly does not support? In the opinion of this website, the response would be a resounding no.
Let the man go to his cottage as planned Canada Day Weekend. When the city has many politicians and councillors such as the aforementioned Smitherman and noted gay rights supporter Kyle Rae planning to attend, can't we give the Mayor a break?
It's just not his thing.
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