Article content continued

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or

“Their message needs to be opposed because it’s clearly a lie,” said Mr. English. “There’s no amount of historical revisionism that could prove otherwise. However, in conjunction with opposing it, we no longer want to be upset by it and we want to demonstrate to all those who are participating in Pride and who are watching Pride that Israeli society is totally unlike any portrait provided by [QuAIA].”

Justine Apple, executive director of Jewish LGBT group Kulanu Toronto, said her group is focusing on its own message this year at World Pride festivities, which is to promote Israel as a beacon for LGBT rights in the Middle East.

“We’re not allowing ourselves to be distracted and consumed by QuAIA. Just like Kulanu Toronto, Pride has always stood for respect, tolerance and integrity,” she said.

Councillor James Pasternak, a vocal QuAIA opponent, said it seems many are exhausted from this debate.

“I was a little surprised. In past years, there were hours of deputations at executive committee in which both sides of the debate would come and argue their case,” he said. “That didn’t occur this year. I think there may be some fatigue on the issue. Some of the players felt, I would assume, that we’ll try a year of ignoring it and see if it goes away.”

The city’s contribution to this year’s Pride budget is $160,500 — an increase of over $20,540 from last year — and included an amendment from Mr. Pasternak, requiring groups receiving cultural funding to comply with the city’s updated anti-discrimination policy or risk forfeiting the funds.