Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was angry on Friday after City Hall raised a rainbow flag meant to show support for the gay community during the Winter Olympics and demanded it be pulled down.
He told reporters, "It's not about someone's sexual preference," reports The Globe and Mail. "No, I do not agree with putting up the rainbow flag. We should put our Canadian flag up."
Councillor Anthony Perruzza later talked to Ford and convinced him to rescind his request that the city manager remove the flag. The pride flag would stay up and a Canadian flag would also be flown.
According to CBC, after Ford agreed to leave the flag up, he put up a Canadian flag in his office window.
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly spoke about the flags, noting, "There's no antagonism between the two flags. Cities across the country are doing this. This is an expression of Canadianism."
The Globe notes that cities like Ottawa and Vancouver are among those currently displaying pride flags.
Ford's outrage against the flag isn't surprising considering he does not take part in the city's annual Pride parade, as he is "not going to change the way I am." His brother and Councillor, Doug Ford, has used the always successful argument that his brother was not homophobic as he has friends who are gay.
image: Wikimedia Commons
