Lord Provost blocks appeal to fly rainbow flag for LGBT celebration
Senior Reporter/Columnist A COUNCILLOR has slammed the decision not to fly the Rainbow Flag on Glasgow City Chambers during LGBT History Month. Councillor Eva Murray wrote to Lord Provost Eva Bolander to request the flag, a symbol of pride for the LGBT+ community, be flown from the city’s civic centre. But Ms Bolander – who has previously expressed strong support for gay rights – said no. It leaves Glasgow trailing behind Edinburgh, where councillors last week passed an emergency motion to fly the rainbow flag this month and in subsequent LGBT History Months. Both North and South Lanarkshire Councils are flying the flag during February’s month long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. Ms Murray said: “I’m really disappointed that the Lord Provost has decided that she will not be allowing the Rainbow Flag to fly from Glasgow’s City Chambers this LGBT History Month. “Glasgow has a proud history of supporting as well as standing alongside the LGBT+ community and I believe we should take every opportunity to reiterate that show of solidarity – many local authorities across Scotland have taken LGBT History Month as the opportunity to do this with South Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire flying the Rainbow Flag throughout February. “Edinburgh has passed an emergency motion put forward by my Labour colleague Councillor Cammy Day to commit that Edinburgh will fly the Rainbow Flag in the city this February and during future LGBT History Months. “We should absolutely be following their example.” LGBT History Month is marked across the UK with commemorations to celebrate the achievements in securing LGBT+ rights as well as acknowledging the previous struggles of the movement. The Rainbow Flag is flown from Glasgow City Chambers during Glasgow Pride to mark the event. A council spokeswoman said: “The Lord Provost and the council are proud and vocal supporters of our LGBT+ community. “The Rainbow Flag is flown from the City Chambers to express our support and solidarity on designated days like International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia which falls annually on May 17, and for the city’s Pride Festival celebrations. “Last year the Lord Provost also arranged for the SSE Hydro to be lit up to mark Glasgow’s Pride festivities.” Ms Murray has called on Ms Bolander to reconsider, having previously highlighted a commitment to LGBT+ issues. She said: “I know we have seen the Lord Provost make exceptions in the past regarding the flying of the Rainbow Flag such as during Glasgow Pride.” She added: “I hope that the Lord Provost will reconsider and fly the Rainbow Flag from Glasgow City Chambers this LGBT History Month.”