Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Deputation to Toronto City Hall "Hate Has No Place in the Gay Pride Parade"

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 28, 2013) - Following today's deputations to Toronto's Executive Committee of City Council regarding the ongoing issue of hate in Toronto's Gay Pride parade, and the Committee's preliminary recommendations to Council, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) reiterates our position that hatred directed toward any group or individual has no place in a city-funded celebration.

"The fact that the Jewish community is being marginalized by Pride, and that our most deeply felt concerns continued to be ignored or rationalized away is alarming," said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC. "Today it seems the Executive Committee may have taken a step in the right direction by realizing that the core message of Pride is different than the core mission and mandate of our pluralistic City. We remain hopeful that the ultimate decision will be in favour of inclusivity, cultural sensitivity and respect."

FSWC supports the Committee's preliminary decision to limit Pride Festival funding to the cultural elements of the Pride event, and looks forward to this decision being implemented in tandem with proper financial audits and controls following review by City Council in June.