LGBT group outraged after council refuse to fly gay pride flag

A COUNCIL’s decision not to fly a gay pride flag has been condemned by a local LGBT group.

The group has also claimed the ban by councillors at Abingdon, Oxfordshire, is discriminatory.

The council has said that the flag represents a political organisation and it would be wrong to honour it with the same prominence as the Union flag and the flag of St George. 

Around 1,500 people have signed a petition complaining after councillors voted seven to six not to fly the flag from the town hall. 

The motion to fly the flag in Abingdon for next year's event was put forward by councillors Neil Fawcett and Sam Bowring. 

Gay rights campaigner Robert Jordan who lives in Abingdon said he felt “absolutely mortified” by the decision. 

He said: “I can't believe it. I'm gutted. I'm just so shocked. 

“Flying the flag would show that we are an inclusive, loving town where people of any sexuality or gender can live without fear and without trepidation of violence or bullying. 

“The county hall is a beacon for Abingdon and what better way to show acceptance, tolerance and love than to fly a symbol of such from its flagpole.” 

He said that he had been copied into a letter emailed to the council from playwright Mike Bartlett. 

The letter said: “I can think of no better purpose for a town council than to side with minorities against bullies. 

“No better purpose than to make very clear, very public statements about what is acceptable in a community in the 21st century. 

“To reject a motion like this appears to do the opposite.” 

Mr Jordan called on the council to re-think but town councillor Sandy Lovatt said some members voted against the motion to allow the flag to be flown because they considered Oxford Pride to be a political organisation, which lobbied government policy. 

Councillor Lovatt added: “The County Hall building is an official flag station for the town so we fly the national flag or variants of it at the Queen's request. 

“We fly the St George's flag on St George's Day and fly the town flag for civic events. 

“If we allowed Oxford Pride to fly its flag it would set a precedent and then we could be approached by all sorts of lobby organisations. 

“I think it's unlikely that the decision will be reconsidered but I do regret it if we have offended anyone because intrinsically I support the aims of Gay Pride. 

“I would like to invite them to stage an event in Abingdon Market Place whenever they want. 

“I agree with the objectives of Pride in general but the demand for direct ttention when the gay community is only eight per cent is a bit much.“ 

Fellow councillor Neil Fawcett added: “The rainbow flag represents inclusivity. It's a relatively small and inexpensive gesture.“ 

Town council leader Mike Badcock said: “The council debated a motion that 'Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council source a rainbow flag to fly from County Hall in conjunction with Oxford Pride'. 

“After full and careful debate the motion was not adopted. 

“The council has a long-standing policy on which flags it flies from the County Hall. 

“These flags are the Union Flag, the Flag of St George, the Town Flag and annually, the Commonwealth and the Armed Forces Day flags."

On social media today 'nosnilla' posted: “Just like the EU referendum, it was a democratic vote (6-7). Just because it didn't go your way does not mean we should change it.”