Many faculty members turned their backs in protest as Toronto's Ryerson University honoured a renowned Montreal ethicist amid criticism for her views against same-sex marriage.

The professors sharing the same stage with McGill Prof. Margaret Somerville carried rainbow pride flags and held signs that read, "Respectfully disagree" and "My Ryerson honours equal rights" at Monday's convocation ceremony.

Somerville, who says she supports gay rights but is against gay marriage, accepted the doctorate but looked bothered by the demonstration.

She didn't apologize in her acceptance speech, but acknowledged the pain her presence had caused.

"Some people are hurt by some of my views, and I want to say that although I believe that I must stand by those views, I genuinely regret the hurt that that causes them," she said.

Rev. Brent Hawkes, who gained national attention when he performed Canada's first legal gay and lesbian marriages at the downtown Metropolitan Community Church, was among the well-known gay rights activists on hand.

"Can you image gay and lesbian students sitting there getting their degree and someone is being honoured at their graduation who says, 'You shouldn't have your rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,'" he told reporters.

Protestors gathered outside the university were also outraged the doctorate was still handed out despite the controversy.

"Homophobia is not honorary and it shouldn't be celebrated by granting an honorary degree," one demonstrator said.

"I think it's really offensive that students today, who are convocating, who are here to celebrate four years of working hard at their studies, had to have that marred by having the presence of someone who's promoting discrimination on the stage with them," added Joel Duff of the Canadian Federation of Students.

The ceremony took place as an event at Toronto City Hall kicked off the city's annual weeklong Pride Week, celebrating gay and lesbian culture.

Somerville was given one of Ryerson's highest honours despite the disapproval from members of the committee responsible for the controversial decision.

Supporters of Somerville's view, which according to polls represents about half the country, also planned to attend.

According to her writings on same-sex marriage, Somerville believes marriage is primarily about having children, and gay marriage conflicts with a child's right to a biological mother and father.

Members of Ryerson's committee responsible for selecting Somerville released a statement last week that said that while "many of us disagree strongly" with her opinion and arguments, granting the degree was based "entirely on her academic work."

Revoking the degree would raise problems with respect to freedom of speech and academic freedom, the group said.

The committee said before making its decision it was unaware of Somerville's views expressed in the media and before Parliament. Had members known, they would have given a "serious pause" before approving the accolade.

The doctorate is Somerville's fifth for her work in medical and research ethics.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Janice Golding