Calderdale Reform refuses request to fly Pride flag during Pride Month
Calderdale Reform has refused a request to fly the Pride flag during a national celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
The party – which now runs Calderdale Council – was asked by Labour councillor Sarah Courtney (Hebden Bridge and Todmorden East) if the rainbow flag – a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community – would be flown over any Calderdale Council buildings during June, which is Pride Month.
She says the request was refused, including for Shibden Hall where LGBTQ+ icon Anne Lister lived.
Fellow Labour councillors Ann Kingstone and Dave Mendes Da Costa (both Wainhouse ward members) say the new Reform administration has argued that “only the Union flag can represent everyone in Calderdale and that other flags and symbols are divisive”.
The Courier reported earlier this week how one of Calderdale Reform’s first actions since taking over the council has been to approve for a Union flag to be flown above the town hall every day of the year.
The party has also pledged to has stop “foreign flags and symbols of division” being flown above Halifax Town Hall.
Leader of Calderdale Council, Coun Daniel Sutherland (Reform, Illingworth and Mixenden), said: “We are proud to fly the Union flag from the town hall throughout the year, to represent all the people of the borough, and we continue to celebrate Calderdale as a place where everyone is valued.”
He added: “We’re committed to delivering services that make a difference to local people, with our priorities centring around value for money, the condition of our roads, crime and anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and cleaner streets, and housing. As we deliver the change that people are eager to see, our focus is on these priority issues.”
Coun Courtney said: “There is clear and recurrent evidence from population-based surveys in England, and a growing body of research and peer-review published evidence in a UK context, that LGBT+ people experience worse health inequalities.
"Measures to promote inclusion can help toward improving the health and wellbeing of people who face discrimination.
"While it does not single-handedly erase systemic discrimination, flying a Pride flag is a low-cost, high-impact action that provides comfort to vulnerable individuals, normalises diversity, and challenges social stigma.
"It communicates that LGBTQ+ identities are respected and that inclusion is a shared community responsibility.
"This reassurance reduces anxiety about discrimination and encourages people to seek services or support, improves trust and encourages community-building.
"The Pride flag does not exclude anybody, it just signifies that everyone is welcome.
"It is a symbol of visibility, dignity and belonging for communities that have had to fight for recognition, equality and acceptance.”
Coun Kingstone and Coun Mendes Da Costa added: “To our LGBTQ+ residents, their families, friends and allies: please know that we stand with you.
"We will continue to champion an inclusive Calderdale that celebrates all its communities and honours the history that makes our borough unique.”