Latest news with #ProgressPrideFlag
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Warwickshire County Council flew Pride Flag 'without proper consent'
A Progress Pride flag at the centre of a row between Reform UK and the chief executive of Warwickshire County Council should not have been flown as the authority did not have the correct permission to fly it, it has been discovery came after Monica Fogarty, the chief executive, refused to remove the flag before the end of Pride month, following a written request from the authority's interim leader, Reform UK's George Finch. Warwick District Council said advertising consent was required to fly the Progress flag and, while an application was not submitted, neither had it received an official BBC has approached the county council for a response. The row started when Finch requested the flag be removed after he replaced Rob Howard as the authority's Fogarty responded to the acting leader in an email and said the authority did not have a "formal policy" for flying flags. She suggested Finch should look for the council to vote on one if he wished to introduce it. Reform UK previously accused the chief executive of a "coup d'etat", in a claim made by the party's head of government efficiency, Zia Farage, the party's leader, took to X and suggested Ms Fogarty believed she "knew better than the people" and she "should look for a new job". A spokesperson for Warwick District Council, the planning authority for Warwick, said "advertising consent" was needed to fly the Progress Flag and they did not get an application for it to be flown at the county council's headquarters, Shire Hall, in the county town."The council has not received an enforcement complaint, so there is no active enforcement investigation," they Progress flag, which was flown outside the headquarters in Warwick, differs from the Rainbow flag as a result of adaptations over the years. It includes colours such as black, brown, pink, pale blue and white stripes, to represent marginalised people of colour in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the trans community and those living with HIV/AIDS. Reform does not have overall control of the council in Warwickshire, although it is the largest group has been contacted by the BBC for their response to the authority's omitted consent Progress Flag has since been removed from Shire Hall following the end of Pride Month. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Telegraph
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Labour council ‘breaking law' after hoisting pro-trans flag
The Progress Pride flag is an amended version of the 1978 rainbow-coloured Pride flag and includes black, brown, pink, pale blue and white stripes, which represent people of colour in the LGBTQ+ community, the trans community, and those living with HIV/Aids. Andrea Williams, the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said Hackney could be 'vulnerable to litigation'. She told The Telegraph: 'Flying the so-called Progress flag at a time where 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. 'By flying that particular flag, the mayor of Hackney is clearly engaging in partisan political advertising based on her own and her political party's views on this issue.' Maya Forstater, the chief executive of human rights charity Sex Matters, added: 'Dismissing people who complain about flags or waving this away as a 'culture war' completely misses the point. These symbols are not harmless messages of 'inclusivity'. 'The Progress Pride flag represents a highly contentious belief. It is Hackney council's job to serve the whole community, in line with the Equality Act, not to signal its support for the claim that 'trans women are women'. 'Flying this flag sends a highly political and ideological message to every resident of Hackney, not to mention those council workers at the front line in the leisure centres, libraries and youth clubs where the law about single-sex spaces and services needs to be upheld.' 'The cracks are impossible to ignore' The row comes after the Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act ' refer to a biological woman and biological sex '. The Telegraph understands there is increasing concern amongst members of the ruling Hackney Labour group over trans rights. One source said: 'The cracks in Hackney Labour are becoming impossible to ignore – especially on sex and gender. Since the Supreme Court judgement, councillors who've been silenced by fear of cancellation are beginning to find their voices. 'Many were deeply uncomfortable when the previous mayor forced through the 'trans women are women' motion without a single word of debate. Many lesbians and women who believe sex matters have repeatedly asked why Hackney flies the Progress Pride flag but refuses even to consider a women's rights flag for International Women's Day.' In correspondence seen by The Telegraph, Ms Woodley said: 'A version of the Pride flag has flown above the Town Hall each February and July since summer 2017, to mark LGBT+ history month each February, and also the week leading up to and including the London Pride weekend each summer, in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community and to highlight the council's commitment to equalities and social inclusion. 'In summer 2020, the council replaced the original Pride flag with the Progress Pride flag, which includes extra colours to represent queer people of colour and trans people in recognition of the diversity and intersectionality of the community. In 2023, the Progress Pride flag was then replaced with the Intersex Inclusive Progress Pride flag.'
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Christians vow to sue 'Wokeminster' council if they put up trans-inclusive flags for Pride month
A Christian company has vowed to sue a council dubbed 'Wokeminster' over plans to hang up trans-inclusive flags to mark Pride Month. In collaboration with Westminster City Council, the Crown Estate, who own the majority of properties on Regent Street, plan to fly Progress Pride flags in 20 locations throughout the central London area between mid-June and mid-July. But if the proposed decorations are hoisted into the air within the next week, the council, nicknamed 'Wokeminster' by its own chief executive Stuart Love, and the Crown Estate risk facing legal action from the Christian Legal Centre. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, told The Telegraph that the Pride flags were an attack on traditional beliefs about sex and gender. She warned that the Christian Legal Centre would have no option but to pursue legal action if the council chooses to proceed with the Pride display, arguing that everyone should feel welcome in Regent Street. Ms Williams said: 'They send the message that people holding these views – which are worthy of respect in a democratic society – are not welcome. 'The majority of the public do not know the highly controversial and harmful symbolism presented by the Progress Pride Flag.' The Pride flag was created by American artist and gay rights activist Gilbert Baker and was first displayed in 1978 as a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. The Progress Pride flag, designed by artist Daniel Quasar, is an amended version including black, brown, pink, pale blue and white stripes to represent people of colour within the LGBTQ+ community, the trans community and those living with HIV/AIDS. Ms Williams continued: 'This ideology has been discredited by the Cass review, the closure of the Tavistock, and most recently Supreme Court ruling. When will the Crown Estate catch up with the rest of society?' In April, five Supreme Court justices ruled that the legal definition of a 'woman' in the 2010 Equality Act refers 'to a biological woman and biological sex'. Lord Hodge said he recognised 'the strength of feeling on both sides' and cautioned against seeing the judgement as a triumph for one side over another, stressing that the law still gives trans people protection against discrimination. Despite this, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised the ruling as a 'victory' for women and said it meant the 'era of Keir Starmer telling us women can have penises has come to an end'. The landmark ruling could have far-reaching implications on how sex-based rights apply, including how women-only spaces are allowed to operate. Vicky Lee, founder of the Way Out Club, urged the Christian Legal Centre not to pursue legal action. She argued they would need to sue 'for every pair of hot pants, every T-shirt and every flag worn as a cape because Pride Month is here and the superheroes [trans community] are not going away anytime soon.' Other London-based trans activists including Dee Chantelle who runs a pub called Zodiac in Camden, told the publication that the threat of legal action is just another way to ignore the existence of trans people. More than one million members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies are expected to take to the capital on July 5th for Pride in London. The colourful parade will make its way through Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street before concluding at Westminster. Last year's Pride organisers were criticised by none other than James May for the sheer number of flags flying in Regent Street. The Top Gear star took to social media to arguing that the LGBTQ+ decorations could be seen as 'authoritarian' and 'oppressive'. He also suggested that World War Two started with too much bunting. His X/Twitter post read: 'Pride: while I have observed and admired what you have achieved over my lifetime, may I respectfully suggest that you are borderline guilty of Too Much Bunting (TMB). It may be seen as authoritarian, and therefore oppressive. 'Please remember that some terrible things, with which you would not wish to be allied, began with TMB. World War Two, for example. Nice flag, though.' In the comments, one person wrote: 'I hope you're not insinuating that somehow the LGBTQ+ community is somehow in danger of starting WW3 because of some rainbow flags James?' May stood firm in his stance and said: 'I'm not, no. Stand down'. Another replied: 'Respectfully, comparing the LGBT community to Nazis is very offensive. Very disappointed, James.' But May refuted the claim that he was comparing the LGBT community to the Nazis and responded with: 'I haven't done, though, have I?' A spokesperson for Westminster City Council said: 'The council supports festivals and celebrations from our different communities across the year. Pride is an annual and established fixture and has been supported by the council for many years. 'Pride flags are in keeping with a cosmopolitan city that welcomes millions of visitors every year. All public community celebrations have a fixed duration and are both proportionate and fitting. 'Given similar pronouncements in previous years we await further information about the Christian Legal Centre's legal challenge with interest.'
Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
‘Wokeminster' council faces legal action over trans Pride flags
A council nicknamed 'Wokeminster' by its own chief executive is facing legal action over plans to hang trans-inclusive Pride flags throughout the area, the Telegraph can reveal. The Crown Estate, which owns the majority of property on Regent Street, lodged plans earlier this year to hoist flags in 20 locations between mid-June and mid-July as part of Pride Month. However, Westminster city council and the Crown Estate now risk facing legal action in the form of a judicial review from the Christian Legal Centre if the proposed decorations are put up next week. The Progress Pride flag is an amended version of the 1978 rainbow-coloured Pride flag and includes black, brown, pink, pale blue and white stripes, which represent people of colour in the LGBTQ community, the trans community and those living with HIV/Aids. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, told The Telegraph she believed the flags were an 'attack on historic, traditional beliefs about sex and gender'. She added: 'They send the message that people holding these views – which are worthy of respect in a democratic society – are not welcome. 'The majority of the public do not know the highly controversial and harmful symbolism presented by the Progress Pride Flag.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Evers promotes Pride in CF visit
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Tony Liedl began making soap as a hobby in 2020. 'It started with a basic recipe, and I tweaked it,' he said. Liedl soon was selling at crafting events, and he eventually opened his own business. Ope! It's Soap moved into its current storefront at 116 N. Bridge St. last November. Liedl and his husband, Kevin Brylski, welcomed Gov. Tony Evers to their shop on Thursday, showing off their products while also talking about being being gay business owners. Brylski said they have signs that read 'Hate has no home here,' and the community has been overwhelmingly supportive. 'It's been really incredible,' Brylski said. 'Tony advertised on the door, writing, 'this is a safe space. This is a gay business.'' Liedl added that Chippewa Falls has been a safe community for them. Evers praised the business after finishing the tour. 'It's important for me to continue to see what is happening in our small stores across the state,' Evers said. 'They really care for each other here, and they do great work.' Evers has been visiting LGBTQ+ businesses across the state to celebrate Pride Month. 'They are a major part of our culture,' Evers said. 'I hate to hear negative things about Pride Month. I think it's important for Wisconsinites to stand up and show we are open for business. They are our neighbors, our friends, our spouses.' Liedl and Brylski got married in 2020 in the Dominican Republic. Brylski pointed out to Evers that gay marriage has only been legal nationwide since 2015, and they both admitted they are concerned about any challenges that could outlaw their union. 'It's hard not to think about it,' Liedl told Evers. 'It's worrying. What would happen if I got sick and died, and would our marriage no longer be valid?' Evers assured the couple he would block any attempts to ban gay marriages. Brylski thanked Evers for coming to Chippewa Falls and seeing their shop. 'I'm very thankful for Gov. Evers and politicians like him,' Brylski said. Evers ordered the Rainbow Pride Flag to fly over the East Wing of the State Capitol for the first time in state history in 2019. Since then, the Rainbow Pride Flag has flown over the Capitol each year for the month of June until 2022, when Gov. Evers raised the Progress Pride Flag over the State Capitol for the first time, a press release from his office reads. An iteration of the widely recognized Rainbow Pride Flag, the Progress Pride Flag was created to symbolize the inclusion of marginalized communities within the LGBTQ community. The Progress Pride Flag includes additional stripes forming a chevron pattern that represent LGBTQ individuals of color and the transgender community, as well as those who are living with and who have been lost to HIV/AIDS. When asked if he's heard any feedback from President Donald Trump's administration about the decision to fly the flag, Evers said he's been left alone on this issue so far.
