The annual gay-pride parade, scheduled this year for June 28, has grown into the largest tourist event in Toronto, now attracting more than a million people a year. Stretching over 23 blocks, it receives $300,000 from the Ontario ministry of tourism, about $145,000 from the City of Toronto and $35,000 from Heritage Canada, as well as significant funding from corporate sponsorships.

Nevertheless, “in the last couple of years, I’m just horrified that in the middle of this party and celebration, there is this anti-Israel political advocacy going on,” Gladstone said, adding that this year some people have decided not to participate because they are nervous about their security.

“It’s supposed to be a celebration of diversity, inclusion and tolerance.” he said. “But it’s a microcosm of the antisemitism that’s happening globally.

“It’s a very uncomfortable environment because it vilifies Jews by extension. It has very eerie parallels to Nazi Germany. I don’t consider myself an activist, but I just can’t be silent anymore.”

Gladstone told the Jewish Tribune that he first met with the pride committee to address his concerns in April 2008, before last year’s parade.

“They listened and sympathized, but it was essentially ignored,” he explained, pointing to the anti-Israel atmosphere that prevailed, according to many participants.

This year, however, the committee has formally responded in a positive manner with a policy to put a stop to the situation, Gladstone said.

“They said these are rogue groups that act without authority.” Still, “we’re concerned, because the grand marshall [El-Farouk Khaki] is a featured speaker of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid.”

In a letter to Toronto Pride’s executive committee this year on April 14, Gladstone stated:

“The law is clear that you cannot allow a not-for-profit corporation to facilitate political advocacy unrelated to its charter…. Support and sponsorship of Pride is not for anti-Israel political advocacy. I am concerned that the possible loss of your charter and other resources would be a huge loss for Pride and the advancement of gay and lesbian rights.”

According to Gladstone, the City of Toronto as well as TD Canada Trust, the main corporate sponsor, contacted the pride committee, urging them not to tolerate anti-Israel activity during the festivities.

“This is an issue that we are taking very seriously,” Tracey Sandilands, executive director of Pride Toronto, confirmed to the Jewish Tribune. “We have retained legal counsel to investigate and advise us of our rights and responsibilities in the matter and a decision will be taken by our board on May 26 [a day after the Jewish Tribune goes to press] in the evening.”

“It is the height of irony to single out democratic Israel in this fashion when it is the only country in the Middle East that guarantees the fundamental freedoms of all its citizens without distinction,” Frank Dimant, executive vice-president of B’nai Brith Canada, affirmed. “In stark contrast, the rights of the LGBT community in neighbouring Arab countries are routinely trampled on. Members of Canada’s LGBT community who are constantly battling discrimination should be mindful not to become part and parcel of the anti-Israel machinery that continues to churn out hateful and divisive propaganda.”