More

Rob Ford: Pride Parade Won't Be Attended By Toronto's Mayor

The Huffington Post Canada  |  Posted: 04/18/2012 11:40 am Updated: 04/18/2012 12:27 pm

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he will not be going to the city's Pride Parade for the second straight year because of an annual gathering at his family's cottage.

Ford told reporters on Wednesday that he will be at the family cottage on the Canada Day weekend, but that he may attend other Pride events, according to City News.

“I’m not attending Pride,” Ford told the Toronto Sun. ”It is on Canada Day, I’m going up to the cottage with my family like I’ve done for as far as I can remember.”

Pride week runs from June 22 to July 1.

Ford drew an avalanche of criticism last year for missing Pride. He was the first mayor since the megacity to skip the parade.

Ford is saying no again this year despite receiving a formal invitation from event organizers. Toronto's mayor also received an invitation from the only openly gay member of council, Kristyn Wong-Tam, to attend a Pride reception with a "respectful and representative group," according to the Toronto Star.

More to come

Related on HuffPost:

TWITTER REACTS
FOLLOW CANADA POLITICS

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he will not be going to the city's Pride Parade for the second straight year because of an annual gathering at his family's cottage. Ford told reporters on Wednesday tha...
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he will not be going to the city's Pride Parade for the second straight year because of an annual gathering at his family's cottage. Ford told reporters on Wednesday tha...
Related News On Huffington Post:
 

Read more from Huffington Post bloggers:
Carol Mott
Paul Mott

Carol Mott and Paul Mott: Rob Ford Has a Better Idea? Picks Cottage Over Pride Parade

Rob Ford has lost an opportunity here to show that he is the mayor of all the people. He had said on the night of his election, "To the people that didn't vote for me I will work hard to earn your trust and I will deliver the change you can be proud of." I hope he changes his mind.

 
 
  • Comments
  • 393
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3 4 5  Next ›  Last »  (6 total)
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Watson Richardson
17 Fans
04:37 PM on 05/17/2012
Who cares? Why are you "proud" to be gay? Is it something you accomplished? More like Brain Damage (google the rugby player who woke up Gay after being in a Head Trauma Coma). Shut up about it already, it doesn't matter. Get lost.
Permalink  |
photo
nightfly4257
83 Fans
 
10:02 PM on 04/24/2012
He can not make his own weekly weight in or radio show, how the hell do you expect him to make to the pride parade. Beside if he can not lose the fifty pounds, I hate see him in a Speedo marching down Church St. Beside, he will be to busy on Canada weekend checking out all the KFC up in Cottage country.
Permalink  |
photo
comforatblynumb74
1 Fans
12:10 PM on 04/22/2012
There should be a Pride Parade float of Rob Ford and Jason Kenney, dressed in boas and sparkles.
Permalink  |
baje1944
47 Fans
07:45 PM on 04/20/2012
If these people are so proud to be gay, the Mayor should be proud to make up is own mind of not attending. Hope you can make it to this coming Caribana Mr. Mayor and if you cannot make it, we understand will that your family comes first. You are one tough dude.
Permalink  |
binthar
12 Fans
07:34 AM on 04/20/2012
he's apparently going to a get together with family ,whow i done it all my life it's called family traditions and everybody looks foward to it, it didn't matter about any other obligations it was a TRADITION.......
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cameron d
Good Guys Win
1039 Fans
 
03:27 PM on 04/22/2012
Have you ever been the public face of an entire City? No? Well then it's not the same thing now is it.
Permalink  |
photo
Well Armed Lamb
71 Fans
09:05 PM on 04/19/2012
Look who is homophobic???....the organizers are even to ashamed to call it

GAY PRIDE PARADE

What person with any life wants to attend a parade of peacocks shouting look at me look at me Im so pretty. Finally a politican with some principles
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cameron d
Good Guys Win
1039 Fans
 
12:16 AM on 04/20/2012
If he had principles he would say explicitly that he isn't attending because it's the Pride Parade. He's hiding behind that fact and saying he has prior plans. That's being a phony or lying.
Permalink  |
photo
Dino Domingo
71 Fans
11:17 AM on 04/20/2012
and if he did say it...just like many of us here have said...we are labeled as homophobes! you cant have it both ways. I think this could be solved a little easier...maybe your community should clean these parade's up a little...take out the sexual suggestion, make sure people don't dress half naked considering its in the middle of the day and on the street...how about some discretion for the sake of children and old people? how about you tell your gay friends to stop the sexual innuendo and ask those that are baring their breasts and butt cheeks to be a little less revealing? even the carnival in brazil has respect for their viewers...because its a FAMILY event in the MIDDLE OF THE DAY!

I'm sure...if you could convince people of those responsible behaviors...you'd have far more support than you could imagine...but I know what the response will be to my post...your "friends" cant obstain from behaving like freaks...the name calling begins!
Permalink  |
dandawe
3 Fans
12:56 PM on 04/19/2012
So Rob Ford would rather be at his nice cottage (I'm assuming) drinking beer, sitting around the bbq and swimming with his family and friends, then be at some gay pride event. You don't get much more Canadian than that. And in case you folks haven't noticed, most of the crowd at the gay pride parade are there to marvel at the freaks, not to support them.
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
eurisko67
56 Fans
04:50 PM on 04/19/2012
Sure, skip the one event that brings in more than 136 million dollars to our coffers. Rob Ford is not Joe the plumber, who can simply skip out on events to drink beer and sit around the BBQ. He is the Mayor of our city. And should be at any major event representing his constituents.

But reading your last sentence, it's quite obvious why you're here defending Ford.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
PoliticalJunkie65
"Buzzinga!"
187 Fans
05:36 PM on 04/19/2012
Says you. And what do you know?
Permalink  |
photo
benson14
12 Fans
11:51 AM on 04/19/2012
He'd give up the trip to the family cottage if it meant putting shovels in the ground for a Sheppard subway.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
PoliticalJunkie65
"Buzzinga!"
187 Fans
05:37 PM on 04/19/2012
Oh yeah, he'd sell his mother for that.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cameron d
Good Guys Win
1039 Fans
 
12:17 AM on 04/20/2012
Or a Stanley Cup parade.
Permalink  |
This comment has been removed due to violations of our [Guidelines]
Permalink  |Show replies(2)
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
Van Buchanan
4 Fans
11:24 AM on 04/19/2012
Good decision. There is no pride in having Ford as Mayor. He doesn't deserve to ride in Pride Parade. Remind me, what year is this???
Permalink  |
photo
Shannon Ortiz
4 Fans
09:32 AM on 04/19/2012
Who cares?!
Permalink  |
truth be told again
1238 Fans
11:07 AM on 04/19/2012
Already been answered. Lots of people "care", just not you, apparently. Oh, and Mr. Ford.

And your myriad fans.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
PoliticalJunkie65
"Buzzinga!"
187 Fans
11:37 AM on 04/19/2012
snicker.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Liban CZ
326 Fans
12:04 PM on 04/19/2012
like 20 or 45 or 46 care....
Permalink  |
magdog54
2 Fans
11:18 AM on 04/19/2012
Not those who are straight. Nor those who don't wear their sexuality in public.
Permalink  |
S Cooper
15 Fans
11:31 AM on 04/19/2012
First of all, plenty of straight people care (me included). Secondly, what a laugh! Heterosexuals wear their sexuality in public 24/7 - hold hands, kiss, display affectionate behaviour. Just because we've never had to hide it, you don't notice it.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Liban CZ
326 Fans
09:00 AM on 04/19/2012
Do NOT like parades, Christmas parades, School parades, Spring parades, Clown parades!,
May Day parades, Show of Weapons parades, etc.......
I never go to parades, I do not have to.!
Permalink  |
truth be told again
1238 Fans
09:43 AM on 04/19/2012
If you are speaking for yourself, all's well.

But then again, you are not the mayor of Canada's largest city. You are not charged with representing all Torontonians. Therein lies the difference.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
Liban CZ
326 Fans
12:06 PM on 04/19/2012
I AM, therefore I can speak for myself.
Permalink  |
photo
bazingabrickfists
8 Fans
03:18 PM on 04/19/2012
torontonians dont represent the celebration of canada day? or a relaxing weekend at the family getaway?
Permalink  |
photo
Add In Canadia
Egotism is a weakness
411 Fans
05:08 AM on 04/19/2012
Probably a good thing he doesn't go. I suspect that he would be calling 911 to arrest everyone at the event, that or he would punch anyone who got near him. Why? Because he's Rob F-ing Ford, the mayor of Toronto!
Permalink  |
Elmwoodmac
No matter where you go, there you are!
36 Fans
02:30 AM on 04/19/2012
Apparently he may change his mind if they hand out free donuts.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
PoliticalJunkie65
"Buzzinga!"
187 Fans
08:37 AM on 04/19/2012
And apparently root beer.
Permalink  |
truth be told again
1238 Fans
10:10 AM on 04/19/2012
"root"?????
Permalink  |
photo
Dino Domingo
71 Fans
10:27 AM on 04/19/2012
or some gay community favorite..."ecstacy"!
Permalink  |
magdog54
2 Fans
11:19 AM on 04/19/2012
I think you mean KFC
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
haddanuff
Progressives think 'We' while cons think "Me"
199 Fans
01:28 AM on 04/19/2012
I guess he feels they already have enough floats.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
PortlandZoo
Wait... what?
2270 Fans
11:14 AM on 04/19/2012
and the streets aren't wide enough for that particular "float"
Permalink  |
Page: 1 2 3 4 5  Next ›  Last »  (6 total)