Toronto mayor Rob Ford finally comes out for Pride

Has Toronto's infamous mayor finally turned over a new maple leaf?

Rob Ford, much criticized for his habitual refusal to attend his city's Pride parade launch and festivities, attended his first-ever official LGBT event since being elected in 2010. After having missed the previous two years, he was present for the flag ceremony on Monday (June 24) to read out the Pride Week proclamation.

(There's no word yet on whether he suddenly turned gay simply by doing so.)

Ford did surprise everyone last year by making an unscheduled appearance at the flag-raising for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, which he also attended this year.

Ford has a well-established track record of angering Toronto and Canada's queer communities. He was also reported by the Toronto Star to have been one of three council members to vote against $7 million in funding for cultural organizations, including Pride. 

However, unlike the previous three Toronto mayors, he plans to skip the parade, as he has in previous years, so he can go to his cottage in Muskoka on the Canada Day weekend.

There's also no word yet on whether or not Ford is aware of the double-entendre of cottaging. (Or crack.)

Meanwhile, Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, who is Canada's first openly gay and first female premier and who also attended the Pride ceremony, will make history by being the first sitting Ontario premier to march in the parade.

The Toronto parade will be held on June 30.