South Tyneside actor throws weight behind calls to reinstate Pride flag in South Shields
South Tyneside actor wants council chiefs to reverse their Pride flag decision - and fly it all month.
A South Tyneside actor and entertainer is playing his part in putting pressure on council chiefs to reverse their decision to fly the Pride flag for just one day.
Stephen Sullivan, 39, has launched an online petition, calling for the flag – which was briefly raised at South Shields town hall – to be put in place throughout June, which is Pride month.
It has already gained almost 500 signatures – and Stephen, who lives in South Shields, has also won high profile backing.
SallyTM, a drag queen from TV’s RuPauls Drag Race, and Peter Darrant, CEO of OUT North East, which organises LGBT+ events, have added their support.
Together, they say flying the flag is a symbol of unity and proof the borough values LGBTQ+ communities.
The flag was flown alongside the Union Flag, St George’s Cross and the Borough flag on Monday, June 1.
On his petition page on change.org, Stephen wrote: “Living as a gay man in South Tyneside, I have witnessed an unsettling rise in homophobic behaviour within our community.
“It is this environment that highlights the undeniable need for solidarity and visibility during Pride Month. Pride is not just a celebration; it is a movement of acceptance, respect, and hope.
“Join us in urging the South Tyneside Council to take a firm stand for equality and inclusion by letting the Pride Flag fly high above South Shields Town Hall.”
And in a statement to the Gazette, he added: “The Pride flag is a symbol of visibility and recognition. In increasingly polarised times that visibility is more important than ever.
“Seeing the Pride flag helps people feel they belong, they are part of the wider community.
“When the town hall flies the Pride flag it shows a commitment to inclusion and respect, it’s a symbol of the diverse identities, experiences and backgrounds that make up our community.
“The flag is the difference between someone feeling included or feeling excluded and needing to hide.”
SallyTM, who is from South Shields, said she was “proud to be from a place where community and culture are still valued” and hoped the council would change its stance.
She added: “Denying people to just be themselves, be it any celebration of culture, community, diversity - it only diminishes the spirit of our town and takes away what makes South Shields a truly special place.”
Mr Darrant said the Pride flag was a symbol of visibility, inclusion and belonging and flying it showed South Tyneside welcomed and valued its LGBTQ+ communities.
He said: “Choosing not to fly it risks sending the opposite message – that LGBTQ+ residents, workers and visitors are less visible, less valued, or less welcome.
“We would therefore urge the council to reconsider its decision and continue demonstrating its commitment to inclusion by flying the Pride flag during Pride month.”
In a statement, South Tyneside Council has said its wider flag flying arrangements are guided by its agreed flag protocol, which sets out a consistent approach across all its buildings and was recently been reviewed.
Stephen’s petition is at www.change.org