Toronto Mayor Rob Ford orders staff to take down rainbow flag outside city hall
TORONTO – Toronto’s controversial mayor says he told city staff to take down a rainbow flag that was raised outside city hall to show support for gay people in Russia as the Olympic Games begin in Sochi.
Rob Ford says he wants to see the Canadian flag raised instead.
The mayor says the Olympics is about “being patriotic to your country,” not about “someone’s sexual preference.”
When told the gesture was meant to protest anti-gay laws in Russia, Ford replied: “Let Russia do what they want. We’re Canadians here.”
Toronto is one of several Canadian cities to fly the rainbow flag — a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and pride.
Ford has previously come under fire for his staunch refusal to attend Toronto’s gay pride parade.
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