One of the gay activists called a “f----t” and other homophobic slurs by Mayor Rob Ford supporters says the mayor’s brother is wrong to suggest activists provoked the Ford Fest attendees.

“We were just standing there being gay holding signs ... This was an unprovoked situation where we did very little engaging with them,” said Brian De Matos on Saturday, a day after the massive Ford family barbecue.

Councillor Ford told the Star that, after the half-hour altercation, some supporters of Mayor Rob Ford told him a man with a rainbow flag draped over his shoulders had baited the crowd at Thomson Memorial Park in Scarborough.

“I apologize to him for what happened but you can’t go into any event, a sporting event even, taunting people. I don’t agree with (what happened) but something’s going to happen.

“Numerous people said he was looking for trouble.”

Asked specifically what the man supposedly said to incite the crowd, Councillor Ford said: “The guy came in screaming and shouting. He was calling people homophobic and other things I don’t want to get into.”

“It was just a family barbecue 99.9 per cent it was good.”

CP24 video shows Ford supporters yelling at the man and waving small “Ford Nation” flags in his face.

De Matos said the man’s hat was knocked off and a Ford supporter put a hand on his face, prompting the handful of activists to hurry him away to report it to police and reduce any chance of violence.

Toronto police say nobody was charged as a result of the scuffle.

Video posted by Daily Xtra shows Ford fans surrounding De Matos and the other gay rights supporters. The Ford supporters loudly chant “Ford More Years” and make comments including: “He believes in Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.”

When Ford supporters grab and tear into pieces their signs including “Ford #1 Hater, Homophobia kills kids”, the crowd goes wild cheering.

Newstalk 1010 audio of the crowd includes people yelling “Go home f----t,” and “Suck a d---, f----t.”

De Matos said the handful of activists went hoping to engage with Mayor Ford himself, or his staff, or the media to highlight the mayor’s record at council of voting against initiatives involving gays.

They had agreed beforehand not to engage the crowd for fear it could provoke violence, he said, adding they told some Ford supporters their remarks were homophobic but did not call anyone a homophobe.

City of Toronto bylaw inspectors and parks staff were on hand in case the mayor or his re-election team broke a ban on politicking in city parks.

City spokeswoman Jackie DeSouza said in an email Saturday that staff reported “no major incidents or known breaches of the permit conditions.”

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However Sarah Thomson, who showed up at Ford Fest on a white horse to gain publicity for her long-shot mayoral candidacy, complied with an order to get the horse out of the park.

“Bylaw enforcement officers will discuss the horse incident with senior MLS staff next week to determine the appropriateness of laying charges,” under Section 608-33 of the Parks bylaw,” DeSouza said.

Councillor Ford said he “enjoyed” Thomson’s visit.

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