A Toronto band has pulled out of a concert for mayoralty candidate Giorgio Mammoliti, largely because the former MPP opposed expanding benefits to same-sex couples more than 15 years ago.
The Darcys, an indie group originally from Halifax, were one of three bands slated to play at "Rock Your Vote with Giorgio Mammoliti" on March 31 at Tattoo Rock Parlour on Queen Street West.
Wes Marskell, drummer for The Darcys, said in an interview yesterday that he and the band had no idea the gig was for a politician when they accepted it. They believed it was a benefit for Sheridan College, Mr. Marskell said.
Somebody forwarded them an electronic copy of the Mammoliti poster yesterday and they swiftly cancelled their show, posting the reasons for their decision on their website and Facebook page: "We do not know Mammoliti personally, but we know that his politics have opposed Bill 167, which extends spousal benefits to same-sex couples," the post reads.
"It was more about us than it was about him," Mr. Marskell said in the interview. "It was about, we're a young band, this is a big pay day versus our moral beliefs or our stances on these social issues. In the end we felt like it was more important to stick to our guns than it was to make a few bucks."
Mr. Mammoliti, a veteran city councillor, wasn't available for comment yesterday.
"It's unfortunate that they decided to drop out of the event because we expect it to be a fantastic evening," said Dan Leggiere, Mr. Mammoliti's campaign spokesman. "But they've made a decision and we're fine with that."
Asked repeatedly whether Mr. Mammoliti's views on same-sex benefits had changed since his days as a provincial legislator, Mr. Leggiere said he couldn't comment.
Mr. Mammoliti was one of the NDP MPPs who in 1994 voted against his own government's bill to extend workplace spousal benefits to same-sex partners, helping defeat the bill.