Two Reform councils move to curb Pride flags and events

Two Reform councils have restricted the use of LGBTQ flags during Pride month.

Havering Council gave just three days’ notice to organisers of a Pride flag ceremony while Essex County Council ordered its 74 libraries to scale back Pride ceremonies.

The move has led many people from the LGBTQ community saying they no longer feel at home in the boroughs.

Reform UK has previously instructed all of their councils not to fly any flags other than Union Flags or the St George’s Cross.

Havering Council Leader Keith Prince told Metro the only other flags they were willing to fly were for ‘our heroes like the armed forces’.

This is despite the flag ceremony has marked the start of Pride Month in the borough for nearly a decade

Carrie Kendall, founder of local LGBTQ youth group Kaleidoscope and a lifelong Havering resident, said: ‘I always noticed when the pride flag went up as early as 2016 and it made me happy, because visibility is so important.

‘Now I am worried the council’s actions will lead people to think homophobia is permissible.’

Online reaction to the council’s decision has seen the Pride flags described as ‘divisive’ to ‘degenerate’.

Despite the council’s diktat, organisers held an impromptu rally anyway, waving Pride flags, giving speeches and sharing a picnic in the sunshine.

Carrie said: ‘We can’t change their decision, but we can choose to be more direct in our efforts.’

Mark Whiley, leader of the Green Party in the area, said visible support was still needed, recalling recent homophobic abuse on public transport.

He said: ‘I grew up in the borough, and suffered homophobic bullying at school. But it’s starting to creep back. I experienced abuse on the bus by some young people only last year.’

Essex County Council said they wanted to avoid highlighting ‘any particular groups or themes’.

Colchester drag artist Shar Cooterie said the move was ‘politically motivated’.

She said: ‘I would suggest there is maybe a confusion in priority, if we’re talking about getting back to ensuring libraries are doing their best work.

Harlow Pride organiser Leigh Murphy said: ‘We’ve learnt from history that when one group’s… access to information is challenged, then other community groups will soon face that similar challenge.’ 

Save Our Libraries Essex said: ‘What possible reason is there not to display pride promotional material – it’s not as if it’s costing the library service anything – other than pure prejudice?

‘It’s not just bigotry, it’s anti-business. Pride gets people out and spending money in our towns and cities. Where will this end up?’

Havering Council Leader Keith Prince said: ‘The Union Flag represents our country and as such is inclusive of all our residents. The only other events we will be flying flags for will be to recognise our heroes like the armed forces and veterans who do so much for our country.’

Essex County Councillor Chris Hossack said: ‘We need to be careful not to highlight any particular groups or themes, so, mindful of this, and unless the activity is specific to libraries, we have taken a decision to pause promotion of such events at libraries via the council’s public-facing communication channels, including social media.’

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