Homophobia is rampant but not so openly tolerated as in Hamilton. And yet somehow there is no continuous media outrage.
Homophobia isn't tolerated in Hamilton any more than any other place.
The hate groups harassing Pride, and rallying at City Hall are mostly from out of town, and include militant and violent people from (to my knowledge) Toronto (Street Preachers), Kitchener, Oshawa, Barrie, etc.
They are confronted every time by many Hamiltonians who show up to oppose them.
Many more people, groups, businesses etc. have lobbied City Hall and Police about the injustice of police allowing violent attacks on Pride, and submitted formal complaints about that, and about police repeatedly appearing to defend and protect the hate groups.
And we have a few virulent homophobes in high places, blocking progress and inciting prejudice against the LGBTQ community.
The people of Hamilton generally do not tolerate homophobia. We have specific problems in high places that have created and escalated the situation. We hope OIPRD can help, because current Council, Police Services Board and Police command seem unmotivated and incompetent to do so.