Rob Ford says he’s offended when people say he’s homophobic

TORONTO – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he’s not homophobic and takes offence when people say that to him.

Ford answered a question on a YouTube show called “Ford Nation” about a recent controversy sparked when he said he wanted a rainbow flag that was hoisted outside city hall during the Olympics taken down.

The question came from a woman who wrote that the gay pride flag flap and Ford’s recent comments that he’d never attended a pride parade and wouldn’t change show Ford is homophobic and she asked why people should vote for him.

In his reply Ford said he didn’t think it was a controversial issue, and repeated his comments that the Olympics are about patriotism and the Canadian flag should be flying, not the rainbow flag.

The rainbow flag did not replace a Canadian flag — a City of Toronto flag is normally on that pole.

Ford’s brother, Coun. Doug Ford, who appears in the YouTube clips with the mayor, suggested the gay community and supporters are “bullies” to people who don’t attend the annual pride parade.

“I think it’s good for tourism,” Doug Ford said. “But don’t try to put a gun to anyone’s head that disagrees with you. It doesn’t mean that they hate gays.”