News

TORONTO, Ontario, June 25, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Toronto’s Mayor Rob Ford attended his first Pride flag raising over city hall yesterday during the city’s annual Pride Week — despite being elected in his 2010 campaign as a supporter of “traditional marriage”.

“It's terribly disappointing to see the Mayor cave in to the gay lobby, especially after he so unapologetically defended his belief in the true definition of marriage during the election campaign,” said Jack Fonseca, Project Manager for Campaign Life Coalition.

Ford read the city’s official proclamation prior to the flag raising ceremony, saying: “Pride Week is an opportunity to celebrate the harmony in which we co-exist and raise awareness about the barriers some individuals still face in the areas of health care, public safety, employment and the recognition of family relationships.” 

Image

Toronto’s Pride Week, extending from June 21 to June 30, climaxes in the Pride parade. While the event is billed “family-friendly,” public nudity, sex acts and sado-masochistic get-up are common.

Toronto’s 2010 mayoral race saw Ford running what mainstream media thought was a neck-in-neck race against the openly gay George Smitherman. Life and family leaders credited Ford’s whopping victory to his, at the time, unapologetic stance for traditional family values. 

Ford dodged media attempts at that time to paint him as ‘anti-gay’ by stating his beliefs clearly: “I support traditional marriage. I always have … I’m not worried about what people do in their private life. I look out for taxpayers’ money,” he said. 

LifeSiteNews.com asked the Mayor’s office if Ford’s belief in real marriage has changed, but did not hear back by press time. 

Fonseca said he wished that Ford would have “stuck by his principles”. 

Click “like” if you support TRADITIONAL marriage.

“The gay lobby will continue to despise him because of his stated belief in the true definition of marriage, meanwhile the so-cons and immigrant communities who rewarded him with their votes in 2010 will be deflated.” 

“There's no gain in this for him, only loss,” he said. 

Homosexual supporters speculate that Ford attended the flag raising in view of winning support for next year’s election. 

“I think that he has been damaged by these recent scandals,” said Councillor Adam Vaughan to Xtra, referring to unproven drug allegations that have plagued the mayor after a video surfaced of him allegedly smoking crack. 

“So I think he is just trying to rescue his public persona. But his political persona has been one in which he has fought against the gay and lesbian community. He shows up for the flag-raising. Great. Will he show up for the vote when it’s time to show support to this community? Until he does, he should be shunned.” 

Toronto City Council voted 32 to 2 on June 13 to fund the 10-day Pride event to the tune of $140,000, about a $16,000 increase from last year. Ford reportedly walked out during the vote, returning only after voting was finished. Voting against the motion were councillors Mike Del Grande and David Shiner. 

The mayor has reportedly indicated he would skip the Pride parade once again this year since it lands on the day his family traditionally vacations at a cottage in Huntsville. 

Premier Kathleen Wynne, Ontario’s first openly lesbian premier, also attended the flag raising. She has said that she will be marching in the upcoming parade along with her homosexual partner, Jane Rounthwaite. She will be the first premier to do so. 

“I just think it’s so important that we support this incredibly significant celebration in the city,” she told reporters. “I think everyone who can support Pride should do so. It’s very important, particularly for the children in our schools and children growing up questioning and needing support.” 

Meanwhile, Catholics in Toronto are urging the faithful to band together this week for a prayer campaign spanning the entire 264 hours of Pride Week to offer “reparational prayer, fasting, and sacrifices.”