𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A Labour-led council has been accused of “unlawfully” trying to fly the Progress Pride flag outside city landmarks. Plymouth City Council has submitted a planning application which if approved would see the Progress Pride flag hoisted up a flagpole outside the Devon city’s Guildhall.

Under the plans, the flag would be flown during LGBTQ+ History Month in February, during Pride month in June and International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17. Christian groups allege that flying the flag breaches laws around political neutrality in the Local Government Act 1986.

The council insists it wants permission to fly a wide-range of flags to celebrate the diversity of the city’s residents.

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said flying the “so-called Progress flag” at a time when the Government and the courts have been actively moving to protect the psychological and physical health of young people and safe spaces for women from overreaching interpretations of transgender-related laws is clearly a political statement.

Mrs Williams explained that Section 2 of the Local Government Act prohibits local authorities from publishing material promoting a politically controversial viewpoint.

The Chief Exec added: “Flying the Progressive Pride fag in this context is not an act of neutrality but one of political endorsement.”

She said that would make the decision open to judicial review.

The Progress Pride flag features a right-pointing chevron with black, brown, pink, light blue and white stripes.

It represents marginalised LGBTQ+ people of colour, the transgender community and those either living with HIV or who have died of AIDS.

A Plymouth City Council spokesperson, said: “This planning application enables us to fly a wide-range of flags on the city centre flagpoles that recognise and celebrate the diversity of our residents, businesses, and visitors.

“Plymouth City Council does not consider the rainbow flag or the trans flag to be connected to any political party. It is a flag that represents people.”

They said Plymouth is an inclusive city and the council does not discriminate against any group or community.

The spokesperson added: “Flying different flags throughout the year reflects the many identities and cultures that make up our city.

“Displaying the rainbow flag is one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to ensuring all our LGBTQ+ residents, staff and visitors feel valued, respected and represented.”