Decision to skip Pride reminds Toronto of Mayor Ford's worst traits

He also didn't attend Heterosexual Pride week, the bastard! Imagine not kowtowing to special interest groups! The NERVE!

It's not that big a deal orgainzing a parade, gonavy. You need to plan teh route and get a permit thingy from city hall, and pay associated policing costs. You raise a bit of money, you advertise adn bingo!

Anyways, get back to the group in a couple of weeks and let us know how your Heterosexual Parade is progressing.

I'm no big fan of Rob Ford's, but if he doesn't want to go, he shouldn't have to. A parade is supposed to be fun. If you're forced to go, it ain't fun.

I think Ford made the right decision. The Gay Pride parade is less about awareness these days and more about a bunch of flaming caricatures trying to "outgay" one another. Based on some of the "costumes" and behaviour during the parade, I'd hardly call it a family event either.

After I saw a guy jerking off at an event at Pride, I lost all respect for the "event".

Personally, Ford should just ban the event until the freaks(no, not all gays are freaks, not even close) can resist performing and/or simulating sex acts and flashing their reproductive parts in public.
Sad to say but, those flaming caricatures do nothing to advance society's opinion of gay people.
I've even got a few gay friends that refuse to take part or attend the "festivities" as they don't want to be associated with "those freaks".

I bet Mr. Ford would go to a Gay Pride parade. He just doesn't want to attend a Hedonism Pride parade.

This discussion bores me. Time to play Devil's Advocate!

The aim here is to get debate going. If I offend anyone, I apologize!



The point of the article wasn't about the parade, it was about Pride, which I think people have forgotten is not the same thing. As in, the ten day long massively economically beneficial event which eventually culminates in a Parade at the end, not a parade alone. Even a five minute ceremony to raise a flag, showing up to one of dozens of presentations being given or something akin to that is what they are asking for, not his attendance at the parade itself.

Even though mayors do not have to show up to every event, showing up for one of the largest events, and most economically viable events in the city makes sense to me, even if it is only to raise the flag. That Toronto is competing to have World Pride take place in 2014, an event which would draw world attention and tons of tourist money and government investment to Toronto, makes the need for government support all the more important.

I agree that Ford shouldn't have to show up for the parade. I question the decision to do nothing related to Pride at all. While it's in his right to chose, I don't think it's the best thing for Toronto's interests, and I'd prefer passive acceptance like an email saying "everyone is respected" to nothing at all. Just sayin'.

Personally, I'm a little concerned about this discussion because sexuality and what is over the top is so subjective, especially since most of us have not been to Pride (I most definitely haven't) and likely are depending on either hear-say or commentary to form opinions.



I'll agree that it should be tuned down a bit when it comes to making it family friendly, but remember that this is one of the few times where gay people have an atmosphere where it is entirely acceptable to be gay. I know the gayest I've ever been was at a club for gay folks, and it was the first time I really had a chance to go beyond being myself but actively let myself be gay.

During the other days of the year, I see couples making out, talk to people about their girlfriends, hear lewd jokes about heterosexual sex and live in a place where not only am I a minority, I'm a minority which people have an ick factor for. Most gay folks get a lot of negative reactions to being homosexual, and even those of us who are closeted still get our marks. Most of the stuff I do I have to keep quiet for fear of anger or retribution, or people making instant comments on who I am.

To be frank, that the majority of people out there are shocked that I am gay. If it takes acting like a queen in a parade to celebrate my differences and draw attention to the fact that gay people still get shit upon by a lot of folks out there, then maybe I will do so when I overcome my fear and actually go to Pride, wherever the closest one is. Most people still don't act like one, even at these parades, and to be frank, I forgive any group who goes out of their way to have a chance to promote understanding of differences. The Chinese have parades with dragons and ancient music, because that is part of their identity. Ours involves men.

I see more tits in parades (football season anyone?) than dudes in speedos at every other time of the year. Indeed, most ads for men involve satisfying straight men. When ads involve hot men, it's typically so that the hot maid can run over and hump him as the ad asks "don't you want to be like this?" Most of these ads have women in ludicrous and obviously sexy positions. You all even log onto a site with a nice pair of tits at the top most of the time, have a thread where most of you post tits on Wednesdays, and watch sporting events interspersed with the odd pair of tits on a cheerleader, tits in a beer commercial, and more wang than I see at most gay events as streakers charge across the field during Football games.

Us having one parade is not exactly balancing it. To be frank, you guys don't have to come (many of us gay folks don't go either), we'd all understand -- the rest of Pride is there purely for understanding. I think it needs to be toned down, but then again, I could also go with you guys not tossing tits and jokes about vagoo in my direction either. The unfortunate reality is that something like being gay is based on sex, and anything that involves gay unfortunately involves sex. Suppressing that has been a problem for the community for years. And at the very least, it makes you guys pay attention.



Odd, I did not lose all respect for sports because of streakers running across the field, nor did I lose all respect for Christians because of the Westboro Baptist Church, nor did I lose all respect for white people because of Supremacists, nor did I lose all respect for straight men for all those acts of rape men commit against women every year, not to mention sexual assault, and all those wars you guys are involved in...

Yes, I am being a smartass, and that is because quite literally everyone who has been a member here for a year or more has at one point of time said that the actions of one should not pass on to the actions of the group. Breivik, for example, was vehemently rejected by right-wing posters and politicians across the internet and the world, although I don't remember the exact reaction here.

I'd prefer not to be identified with the dude masturbating in public, like many straight dudes have. There is more to Pride than one guy masturbating. I can understand if you have problems with the parade because of the overall trend, as with PublicAnimal, and frankly I agree with his points and believe his criticism on over-sexualization to be acceptable. But to base judgement on it from one issue, and losing "all respect" from one incident, is indicative of a logical fallacy, fallacy of sweeping generalization. A dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid, "the exception does not break nor define the rule."

I think this was accidental on your part? After all, "losing all respect" has become such a buzzword these days.

First off, well said!

On the topic of me losing all respect for the event had more to do with the celebration of the "act". People cheering and then the video being posted online with another load of cheering.

The reason why I and others have lost respect is because Pride doesn't condemn these acts and certain behaviours. It appears that in some respect the encourage it.

In regards to Ford, it's no secret that the gay community has never been a fan of Rob Ford; even when he was a councillor. They've slammed him in the press, made endless jokes about him, and it's only gotten worse. You cannot fight alleged intolerance with intolerance.

Good points. In general, I think a mayor should try to be present at all major events in the city. However, I agree with you in your general assessment of Gay Pride. It's not a celebration of the gay community and their equality rights. It's a freakshow. Calling Gay Pride a cultural event is rather like calling a drunken Fanshawe riot "Homecoming". Ultimately Rob Ford's job is to govern and represent his constituents, not party with the lunatic fringe.

Still, Rob Ford, you would think, would be looking for areas of political support when his numbers are sinking like a mob stoolie in cement shoes. It would likely help his chances of re-election by making an appearance.

Damn me but I've missed your long reasonabnoninvasive a non preachy missives, buddy!

Just curious, are you speaking for the gay community? (the give-away was the "permit thingy") And just where IS this gay community? I can't seem to find it on a map.

Church and Wellesley?

It's on Canada day.

Pretty sure I'd have something better to do too.

Most familys have plans for that long weekend.

He's up to 47% this month from 41% last month.

I'm with OTI on this one. Went to the parade with my wife two years ago, left early disgusted with the antics of some of the participants.