An open blog to Mayor Rob Ford

BY barry hillier
2011/06/23

Our office at Dashboard is an eclectic space to work. You might think that this is based on Richard Florida’s assumption that we are part of Toronto’s creative class. But I think it’s because we are part of Toronto. Toronto is a diverse set of people who span culture, race, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs and unique communities that span the GTA. Dashboard is similarly like Toronto. We are diverse.

I am a conservative and this is known by our staff. I think there is only one other openly conservative person at the agency. (We all know who that is!) Together we are widely outnumbered by a staff that ranges from indifferent to NDP to Green to even a few disappointed Liberals. Guess what? That’s okay. We have our own views, but respect the right and we expect the right to hold political views that may be contrary to one another. It’s even fun after a few drinks to get a diatribe started and explore opinions that differ. What doesn’t change is respect for the people, regardless of their political beliefs and orientations.

I happen to be white with cultural roots from England. But there exists a broad range of races at our shop that expand beyond England. From countries of origin that include and have included Ireland, India, China, Japan, Jamaica, Dutch, Russia, Albania and too many places in between to mention. Dashboard is a mosaic that represents the world.

I also happen to be agnostic. Again, this is shared by some of our staff. But we also have maintained diverse beliefs from various Christian roots that span from Anglican to Catholicism and most variations of the religion in between. We have staff that practice Judaism and we have staff that are Muslim. We even have staff that practice Hinduism. Frankly, I’m sure we have staff that practice much more, but it really isn’t any of my business or my concern. They are free to believe whatever they wish as it doesn’t affect anyone else at the shop.

I am also straight. Not that that is of anyone’s concern. We do, however, happen to have staff that is LGB. That is equally neither my concern nor anything that I’m interested in either. The fact remains that Dashboard is a diverse and eclectic place to work because of everything that I’ve written above, including sexual orientation. This is why I think that we represent Toronto, more than we represent the creative class. And this is why I think Mayor Rob Ford needs to rethink his position on the Gay Pride parade.

I know what it means to have a family tradition at the cottage over Canada Day. My family has had the same thing for the past four years. We go up every year since my daughter was 2 ½ when we bought the cottage. But I’m the founder of Dashboard and I have wide obligations so I will be coming back from the cottage that weekend to prepare for an important pitch. That’s what leaders do. You balance your work and personal life, and you take care of the people you represent. I love my family and I love and represent 35+ diverse people at Dashboard. For each and every one of them, our business is as important to them as it is to me and my family.

Mr. Mayor, you represent all of the GTA and it’s important that you embrace it, all of it. You need to understand that right now, it isn’t just NDP, left winger, gay constituents that are questioning you. You have a straight, white, conservative businessman with a family who is questioning your decision as well.

2

Comments |

Post a comment
Filed under: , ,
  • 23/06/11

    Emily says:

    I am a white, straight, female under the age of 30 who grew up in the GTA and in the private school system. I have however been blessed with many friends who are LGB. I voted for Ford because I bought his stand point on tougher fiscal management of the city (not so much the tearing up of bike lanes and doing away with iconic Toronto street cars). I regret my decision for so many reasons and this issue seems to be the cherry on the sundae. I have been lucky enough to actually be IN the pride parade as a straight young woman. I was apart of the experiential marketing gang representing Cirque's OVO. I woke up extra early, put on a silly outfit, had my face painted vibrant colours and was sat on an eight person circular bike. While all the floats were lined up in the moments before the parade I met tough women on motorcycles, some very naked old men, a cornocopia of cultural backgrounds and their subsequent LGB organizations, received a years supply of condoms from the HIV awareness group and saw some of the most elaborately dressed drag queens EV-ER. I don't think i stopped smiling the entire day, despite the rain, the early morning and some uncomfortable pants. This was my first pride experience and I was surprised there were famous Torontonians and POLITICIANS there supporting one of the worlds biggest LGB festivals. It was broadcast on Much Music (talk about opportunity to connect with younger voters!? If only Ford's advisors understood the importance of a simple SWOT) Politicians who actually CARE about their city, their riding. Moreover, politicians who actually care about their apparence to the public and world. As someone who has had a family cottage for 25 years and two family birthdays on the 1st of July, if I was elected leader of the city I would be back to show support for a frequently marginalized demographic and to make sure the world knew Toronto is a diverse and accepting city. If this is Mr. Ford's ploy to strengthen connections to his market of the GTA "family"... I would like to point out that there are families, in this city who support their LGBT children. Mr. Ford might not care about the actual international LGBT community that flocks to the city to spend serious tourism dollars in the local businesses that Mr. Ford so strongly wants to support. But the least he can do is be there to support the folks that have walked through the coming out process with friends and family. If only Mr. Ford shared your benevolent leadership style...
  • 23/06/11

    Barry Hillier says:

    Well Said Emily. I think straight, conservative voices need to be heard and remove the bias that we are religious zealots who condemn the LGB community. We need to embrace the differences and celebrate liberal attitudes with 21st century conservative beliefs. They are not at odds.