For the first time since taking office, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford helped raise the rainbow flag at Nathan Philip Square, marking the official start of Toronto’s Pride week.
Ford, who has turned down previous invitations to the annual Pride proclamation ceremony and Pride parade, was greeted with applause and a few boos.
"In a world often marred by clashes between people who see differences as a reason for conflict, Pride Week is a time to celebrate diversity, inclusiveness and understanding," the mayor said Monday, reading from the Pride proclamation.
Ford’s unexpected appearance was welcomed by many festivalgoers, some of whom said that regardless of his reasons for attending the event, the mayor was doing “the right thing.”
"His personal motivations I hope were in the right place but nonetheless, he did the right thing," Shawn Sheridan told CTV Toronto.
"It’s the recognition that the mayor of the largest city in Canada is attending and celebrating with a diverse community," said Sean Hillier, co-chair of Pride Toronto.
Asked why he decided to join this year’s Pride Week flag raising ceremony, Ford did not comment.
According to his brother, Counc. Doug Ford, it was just a matter of timing. “He’s about as easy going as they come. If he can make it, he makes it. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t,” Doug said.
The mayor spent the majority of the event surrounded by councillors, while his brother Doug mingled with people in the crowd.
"Hey, how are you?" Doug asked one attendee during the event.
Now in its 33rd year, the week-long SUPERQUEER!-themed celebration runs from June 21 to June 30 with events and activities across the city.
The week-long celebration will culminate in the massive Pride parade next Sunday, which will work its way through downtown.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who also attended the flag-raising ceremony, will make history by marching in Sunday's parade as the first openly-gay and sitting premier to do so.
"It's obviously a big thrill. Everyone was really pleased when someone from our community became the first LGBT-identified premier," said Kevin Beaulieu, director of Pride Toronto.
Prior to Monday’s flag-raising, Toronto Pride organizers rang in the day by opening the Toronto Stock Exchange.
"It's important that the work that we do and the community does really is everywhere in society," said Beaulieu. "We work really hard to ensure that members of our community are able to participate fully."
Regarded as one of the largest Pride festivals in the world, Pride Toronto estimates that over 1.2 million people will attend the celebration.
The Pride parade is set to start on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the corner of Bloor and Church.
But don’t expect a repeat appearance by the mayor.
According to his brother Doug, Ford will be at his family’s Muskoka cottage again this year.
With files from CTV Toronto’s Ashley Rowe and Emily Pratt
