Green Party calls for Pride flag to be flown at South Shields Town Hall throughout Pride month
The South Tyneside Green Party has called for the Pride flag to be flown throughout Pride month.
The leader of the South Tyneside Green Party has called on South Tyneside Council to fly the Pride flag at South Shields town hall throughout June (Pride month).
The calls from Councillor Rachael Taylor come as the Council raised the flag on June 1 to mark the start of Pride month before taking it down in line with its agreed flag protocol.
The Pride flag was flown alongside the Union Flag, St George’s Cross and the Borough flag earlier this week - with the three flags to be “flown as standard”.
South Tyneside Council’s flag flying arrangements
A spokesperson for the Council said: “South Tyneside Council marked the start of Pride Month on June 1 by flying the Pride flag for one day alongside the Union Flag, St George’s Cross and the Borough flag.
“The Council’s wider flag flying arrangements are guided by its agreed flag protocol, which sets out a consistent approach across all Council buildings and has recently been reviewed.
“The current protocol provides for the Union Flag, St George’s Cross and the Borough flag to be flown as standard.
“This approach reflects a broader move to ensure consistency and clarity in how flags are flown across Council buildings.”
South Tyneside Council has confirmed to the Shields Gazette that the local authority will also continue its partnership with OUT North East to deliver the upcoming Bents Park concert and Summer Parade, with both events including the use of the Pride flag.
‘A visible symbol’
Cllr Taylor has welcomed the flying of the Pride flag to mark the start of Pride month but has called for it to be reinstated to maintain the month-long recognition of Pride.
The Green group leader commented: “I welcome the decision to fly the Pride flag on June 1 and the recognition that Pride Month is an important occasion for many people across our borough.
“I would like to see the flag returned to the Town Hall for the remainder of Pride Month, as has been the practice in previous years.
“For many residents, it is a visible symbol that South Tyneside is a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.
“Pride Month provides an opportunity to celebrate diversity and recognise the contribution that LGBTQ+ people make to our communities.
“Continuing to fly the flag throughout June would be a positive way for the council to demonstrate that commitment.
“I appreciate that the council operates a flag policy and that decisions need to be made consistently. However, I believe there is a strong case for Pride Month to continue receiving month-long recognition at the Town Hall.
“South Tyneside is a borough that prides itself on being welcoming and respectful, and I know many residents would welcome seeing that reflected through the continued display of the Pride flag during June.
“I hope the council leadership will give further consideration to reinstating the flag for the remainder of this year’s Pride Month and to maintaining month-long recognition in future years.”
Against national policy
South Tyneside Council’s decision to flag the Pride flag to mark the start of Pride month goes against the trend of other Reform-led local authorities.
Sunderland City Council has recently confirmed that the Pride wouldn’t be flown at all during Pride month.
Reform UK’s national policy is to ban all flags except the Union flag, the St George's Cross and county flags from being flown on public buildings.