Ford's Show Where Their PRIDE Is.

It's well documented that Toronto mayors have, since the city's amalgamation, attended the major Pride parade at the end of June every year.

Even Mel Lastman, who was convinced he shouldn't go eventually did (with the encouragement from a young John Tory).

Lastman found that with 1 million Torontonians (and tourists) coming out to support the parade, it was his duty to give the city what it wanted.

Rob Ford, to put it lightly, doesn't feel that way.

The mayor from the word go, told people he was looking at restricting or cutting off funding to the event that brings $136 Million over the week. He said if a group called 'Queers Against Israeli Apartheid' participated, he would cut funding. The group didn't want him to have the easy out, so they bailed.

Then when asked whether he would attend the city's biggest celebration, he said no; he'd be at the cottage with his family. A tradition in the Ford family.

I have no problems with family traditions; I have my own. But there are certain jobs in this world that you have to put up with being a public servant; meaning if the public needs to be served, you have to put up with it.

He teased the press, told us he wouldn't commit to any one event, but that he'd take it day by day. To the point where people wondered if he may actually get off his high horse in Huntsville, and hop on down to the parade.

That didn't happen.

And now, Ford's unofficial spokesman - brother (and city councillor) Doug Ford, said he wondered why more people didn't celebrate Canada Day with the same fervour they did with Pride, suggesting perhaps a Canada Day Parade could be held the same weekend.

First - What do you care about Canada Day celebrations in Toronto, it wasn't as if you would cancel family tradition for a parade (your words, not mine).

And secondly - you clearly do not understand what Pride is about.

Not Toronto Pride, but world wide Pride.

Pride wasn't set during the final week of June so boys in short shorts and tank tops could squirt the crowd with water guns. On June 28th, 1969, the Gay community at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York, fought back against police officers who were persecuting them because they were Gay.

Pride is what Canada, and Toronto should be all about.

Equality for ALL residents, no matter what colour, race, gender and sexual orientation. It's about the little guy trying to make it big. It's about celebrating those who fought for Gay rights, when they were actually beaten and persecuted because of them.

In this writers opinion, Rob Ford refusing to show up to Pride would be like a big city mayor refusing to show up for Martin Luther King celebrations stateside.

Brother Doug said he'd like to see both a Canada Day Parade and a Pride Parade held on the same weekend. Next year, July 1st comes on the Sunday.

Can't wait for Pride 2012.