DUP man’s sadness at party’s missed chance to fly LGBT flag
A DUP councillor who backed a proposal to light up Ards town hall in rainbow colours to mark Pride has expressed his sadness after it was shot down by his party.Tom Smith said it was a “missed opportunity” to reach out to the LGBT community.
The Donaghadee and Bangor East councillor had already defied his DUP colleagues when the plan was raised in committee, and was prepared to do so again when the matter came before a full meeting of Ards and North Down Borough Council on Wednesday night.
But the plan fell apart when the DUP proposed an amendment that removed plans for the lighting up of the town hall and any individual reference to the LGBT community, instead making it a general equality motion.
That amendment was carried, with 20 members voting for it and 16 against.
Mr Smith opposed his own party’s amendment.
Only 18 of the 40 councillors are DUP, but the support of one UUP, one TUV and an independent member meant the amendment passed.
Afterwards, Mr Smith said the proposal was about “reaching out” to other sections of the community.
“I believe that this was a missed opportunity to reach out to another section of people in our borough — a group of people, many of whom have been marginalised, threatened, abused and discriminated against,” he stated.
“While lighting up a building would have been a small step, it would have been a symbolic one — one that I hope would have sent a positive message of support out across our borough.”
Mr Smith spoke passionately about the issue at Wednesday night’s council meeting, saying it wasn’t political but about “doing what is right, about showing compassion and kindness to other human beings”.
“It’s about treating other people the same way we would like to be treated; with respect, with dignity and with acceptance,” he said.
“I think it’s worth remembering that just over 30 years ago it was basically illegal to be gay in this country.
“Of course society has moved on, but still, for many LGBT people, intolerance and bigotry are a day to day reality. That is something we must all continue to confront and condemn.
“Tonight is part of the challenge to do just that.
“It’s about shaping a society where everyone feels accepted, it’s about building a borough where everyone believes they are valued and it’s about creating a community that everyone, including our LGBT friends, can call home.”
It’s not known if Mr Smith will face any disciplinary action.
The DUP has declined to com- ment on the matter. The stance taken by Ards and North Down members comes three months after party leader Arlene Foster made headlines by attending a PinkNews event at Stormont.
She told the LGBT community that she looked on them “as my neighbours or my fellow citizens” and didn’t “define anyone on the basis of their religion, race or sexuality”.
Last month, there was controversy when DUP members of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council used a procedural mechanism known as a call-in to stop the Pride flag being flown on council premises.
However, the DUP panel on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in Mrs Foster’s own constituency didn’t object to lighting up Enniskillen Castle pink last month.
The Sinn Fein motion on behalf of the Rainbow Project was organised to “demonstrate inclusivity, acceptance and welcoming to the local LGBT community”.