Rob Ford doesn’t stand for WorldPride ovation, insists ‘I’m not homophobic’

Mayor Rob Ford faced more intense criticism Wednesday after refusing to stand along with the rest of Toronto council to applaud WorldPride organizers.

City manager Joe Pennachetti and Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly triggered the standing ovation to thank the organization for its hard work in putting together the massive festival that brought throngs of tourists and millions of dollars to the city last month.

Later, in an impromptu scrum with reporters, he did not answer direct questions as to why he didn’t stand up.

Asked if he was homophobic, he said: “I’m not. You guys have asked me this question for 14 years, and you know the answer: I’m not homophobic.”

Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam lashed out at Ford for the snub: “It’s really quite unfortunate that Mayor Ford again is not decent in his approach. He just couldn’t even bother to stand up. He couldn’t even fake it, which just tells you what kind of guy he is.”

Other councillors also took to social media to criticize Ford.

 

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