Mayor Rob "I'm not homophobic" Ford sits out WorldPride Toronto standing ovation

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      Some things just never change.

      Hogtown mayor Rob Ford isn't homophobic—according to him. And of course, his brother Doug, who says that Rob has "gay friends" (which is the first defense anyone uses when they're accused of discrimination).  

      Nonetheless, Ford continues to display homophobic behaviour.

      As Toronto City Hall recognized the success of WorldPride Toronto with a standing ovation, Ford—unsurprisingly but still annoyingly—remained seated.

      Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly expressed his disappointment about Ford's behaviour.

      Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, who is openly gay and was recognized for her work on WorldPride, asked Ford to lift a hold on exploring options for shelter beds for LGBT people so that council could vote on it.

      Ford—surprise, surprise—denied the request.

      When asked by reporters if he's homophobic, guess how he answered?

      “You guys have asked me this question for 14 years, OK? And you know the answer. I’m not homophobic," he said.

      He also refused to answer questions as to why he sat out of the standing ovation.

      The communicative Ford has infamously avoided attending any Toronto Pride parade. He also didn't attend Pride flag raising ceremonies at Toronto City Hall for two years until he suddenly appeared unexpectedly at the flag-raising for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in 2013 and later attended the Pride proclamation ceremony later that same year.

      When high-school teacher Joe Killoran, out for a jog, encountered Ford at a Canada Day parade and started grilling him, a video of him went viral. Killoran consequently inspired the Shirtless Horde—a group of shirtless protestors who hold demonstrations wherever Ford makes appearances.

      Perhaps we're seeing the birth of the Canadian equivalent of Femen? 

      Whatever the case, it'll be interesting to see if the Shirtless Horde gets a rise out of Ford. Because you know what they say about homophobes...

      Comments

      4 Comments

      Mr Peeps

      Jul 9, 2014 at 5:26pm

      That's like Hitler saying he has Jewish friends or a KKK leader saying he has black friends.

      AC

      Jul 9, 2014 at 11:37pm

      Ford to his council members "I know you are but what am I?"

      Buick

      Jul 10, 2014 at 11:41am

      That Ford remains employed as a Mayor of Canada's largest city is incomprehensible. What a loathsome creature! That he was elected, that many Canadians still support him, that despite his crimes he's attained almost untouchable celebrity status makes me despise our culture. Only a truly sick society would tolerate people like Ford.

      Sir Vivor

      Jul 15, 2014 at 9:31am

      The Fords (and politicians like them) rely on constantly agitating groups of angry, ignorant voters to steal the contest rather than by convincing the rest of the people that they are worthy of holding office. Sadly, this closed-minded tactic works very well in the current electoral system. One frog can run against 5 princes and win by dividing and conquering.