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It is no longer acceptable that disruptive groups like Kulanu and B’nai Brith (and their crony supporters at city hall and the Toronto Sun) can threaten this massive, diverse, 32-year-old celebration and protest simply because they don’t agree with the legitimate message of some participants.

Pride needs to get creative

(H/t Andrea Houston)

Source: xtra.ca

stfuhypocrisy:

Anti-gay religious bigot at Toronto Pride (by Chantybinx)

For those who are accusing me of over-reacting and/or screaming at this asshole like banshee…. may I remind you what he was spewing before I lost my shit on his ass.

Can’t blame you one bit, but by engaging with this loser, you’re giving him the attention he wants … 

(via stfueverything)

Via @goldsbie, Mammoliti may march in Pride parade | #TOpoli #LGBT

Media_httpwwwxtracabi_herpn
via xtra.ca

Maybe it’s just another case of falling short of what I say about generosity of spirit, but in all honesty, if Rob Ford showed up for even five minutes tomorrow, I’d applaud loudly and sincerely.

But this guy? At the very least, I’d be tempted to turn my back, if not throw pistachio shells or something. (And I’m sorry, Gord Perks, I know I’m disregarding your sound advice.)

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Yo, Rob. Isn’t it time to think about doing something else? | #TOpoli

There’s the TTC thing, of course. (Note: I’ve seen cyclists do this too. FFS, guys, wise up.)

[View the story “@TOMayorFord and the #TTC | #TOpoli” on Storify]

And then via @Goldsbie in the Grid, turns out the “cottage tradition” excuse for skipping out on Pride is also somewhat, er, flimsy. Wish I could say I was shocked.

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Hearing him say the next year that Canada Day at the cottage was some sort of inviolable family covenant just confirmed to me his somewhat loose relationship with the truth and/or reality.
Rob Ford was in Toronto on Canada Day 2010 | The Grid TO

Source: thegridto.com

Israel, apartheid, and the third rail | #TOpoli #PrideTO

Some months ago I read something which tried, as I recall, to address Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories, and the comparisons that have been drawn between that and South Africa’s system of apartheid.

To suggest that it’s emotionally volatile terrain might be a slight understatement. And while I’m not interested in stirring up that particular wasps’ nest in the runup to Toronto’s 2012 Pride celebrations, I’m with Antonia on this:

The twitterstorm that ensued is a matter of record. 

Rather than rehash that, though, let’s address the way the argument’s been framed. Usually, it’s a fairly predictable dance: someone suggests Israel is an apartheid state, the hasbaraniks jump to the attack with accusations of anti-semitism, double standards, and delegitimization, and fairly soon the target is browbeaten or intimidated into silence. Either way, it’s a rhetorical minefield.

So, rather than ask ourselves “is Israel an apartheid state,” let’s reframe the question: Does Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, and its administration of the occupied territories, meet the internationally accepted definition of apartheid? (I’m not the first one to suggest this, of course.) 

There are many observers who would suggest that the answer to that is yes. And calling them a bunch of Jew-haters or characterizing the question as hate speech isn’t going to do anything to change that.  

All in the framing, really.

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A Sunday afternoon in Toronto | #TOpoli #PrideTO #choice

And here I was thinking that not listening to the #FoBroSho would reduce the risk of exposure to this sort of thing.

(Disclosure: I adore Andrea and worship the ground Antonia walks on.)

[View the story “I’m sorry, @adamgoldenberg, but did you just say pro-life = anti-choice?” on Storify]

Not as easy as I thought.

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For @TOMayorFord, credit where it’s due | #TOpoli

Yeah, I know, I know. 

But I spend so much time dumping on him, it’s only fair to acknowledge when he does something good.

And that’s not to minimize the “so what? It’s part of his job” argument. 

Nor is it to suggest that the mayor doesn’t have a ways to go.

It’s a question of context. You just know that this was way out of Rob Ford’s comfort zone. And it’s something we want to encourage, regardless of whether his motivation was genuine or whether we agree with him on other files or not. 

So, way to go, Rob. You did good. Keep it up.

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Via @hamutaldotan: Rob Ford Should Participate in Pride. Period. | politics | Torontoist #TOpoli #LGBT

Media_httptorontoistc_bpceb
via torontoist.com

A terrific piece from Hamutal Dotan. Read it now.

She goes through all the political, ethical and symbolic arguments in favour of Rob Ford’s participation, so I won’t repeat them here. The only observation I’d make is to wonder, who in god’s name is advising him these days?

We can debate about whether this is a big-picture or little-picture thing, but even that’s beside the point. It’s also beside the point to speculate about how the mayor may feel, personally, about our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and/or queer brothers and sisters.

And in her inimitably classy way, Kristyn Wong-Tam’s trying to throw him a rope:

https://twitter.com/#!/nowtorontonews/status/192668562744295425

Leaving aside Team Ford’s approach to contracting out, or transit, or waterfront redevelopment, or revenue versus spending, or any of the other major files involved in municipal governance, this seems like such a no-brainer. You show up, you read a statement of support, you pose for a few pictures, and then you head for the cottage. Five minutes, for chrissakes. Of all the things he’s getting beaten up for, this seems so easy to avoid.

Hello, Ford handlers? Someone want to explain this, please?

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