‘More hate than ever before’ - Demonstrators call for Pride flag to be flown in South Shields
Protestors call on South Tyneside Council to reinstate the Pride flag throughout Price month.
A demonstration has been held in South Shields over South Tyneside Council’s decision not to fly the Pride flag throughout the entirety of Pride month.
Dozens of people gathered at South Shields Town Hall on Sunday, June 28, to show their solidarity for the borough’s LGBT+ community.
It was organised by Stephen Sullivan, a South Shields actor and businessman, who wanted the demonstration to be more of celebration as he incorporated music and dancing to create a strong community spirit.
The 39-year-old had previously set up a petition to call on South Tyneside Council to fly the flag throughout June - with more than 1,000 people signing it at the time of writing.
‘The abuse I receive on social media is worse than I can ever remember’
Speaking at the event, Stephen said: "I can't believe how many have turned up. I thought it might have just been me and a couple of friends but there are people here that I've never met.
“And the number of cars beeping their horns has been amazing.
"But there is a serious point to today.
“The abuse I receive on social media is worse than I can ever remember.
“It feels like there is more hate than ever before and the council are doing nothing to stop it.
“I really hope they will rethink their decision and apologise for the hurt, distress and fear their action have caused."
Support from the South Shields MP
Emma Lewell, South Shields MP, who was also in attendance at the event, has branded the local authority’s decision to not fly the flag throughout Pride month as “wrong”.
She commented: “In previous years the Pride flag has been flown at the Town Hall with no issues at all.
“Our town is and always has been diverse, inclusive and welcoming.
"Not only is this decision wrong but the council have been unable to say why they have made it.
South Tyneside Council’s flag protocol
South Tyneside 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 - with the three flags to be “flown as standard”.
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 previously confirmed to the Shields Gazette that the local authority will 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.
You can view Stephen’s petition by visiting: https://www.change.org/p/fly-the-pride-flag-on-south-shields-town-hall-for-pride-month.