Reform UK controlled Sunderland Council has said that Sunderland City Hall would “never” fly the Pride flag and will fly the St George’s flag and union jack all year.
The announcement was made by Reform councillors on Sunderland City Council after they had raised the England flag outside the civic building on 28 May.
Ciera Hudspith, cabinet member for culture, tourism and heritage said: “Any flag flown outside a governing body should represent our nation and our country as a whole, not a sectional interest.”
Reform Sunderland commented that it would only fly national and civic flags which “represent our country, heritage and wider community. For that reason, the Pride flag will never be flown outside City Hall,” it said.
Criticism from OUT North East
By way of response, Peter Durrant. Chief Executive Officer from charity OUT North East commented:.
“We are very disappointed to have seen posts on social media from a Reform UK run council in the North East that they are banning the Pride flag from council buildings
We believe this is the wrong decision. While Pride was born from protest and the fight for the right to exist openly and equally, the Pride flag today is also a symbol of community, inclusion and belonging. For many LGBTQ+ people, seeing it displayed publicly is a sign that they are welcome, valued and supported.
“Removing the Pride flag from public buildings risks sending the opposite message at a time when visibility and solidarity still matter deeply to many people.
“Local authorities across the region are rightly focused on regeneration, growth and attracting investment and decisions like this also risk sending the wrong message to investors, partners, organisations and visitors who increasingly expect places to demonstrate that they are modern, inclusive and welcoming communities.
“We will continue working with partners, communities and supporters across the North East to ensure LGBTQ+ people feel seen, supported and celebrated.”
OUT North East, whose Summer of Pride covers Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead also said that there was no information as yet on whether there would be a similar stance from South Tyneside and Gateshead Councils, which are also now Reform controlled.
