Oakham Council Divided as LGBT Flag Display for LGBT History Month is Cut to Just Two Days

Oakham Council Divided as LGBT Flag Display for LGBT History Month is Cut to Just Two Days

By Local Democracy Reporter

A bid to fly the Progress Pride flag throughout February for LGBT History Month was defeated at Oakham Town Council on January 14, following a tie-break vote that favored a "proportionate" two-day display instead.

The original proposal, brought by Cllr Martin Brookes and Cllr Sally-Anne Wadsworth, called for the flag to fly at Cutts Close for the entire month to honour the history, resilience, and remembrance of the LGBTQ+ community. However, the meeting ended in a stalemate that required the Chairman’s intervention to resolve.

During the debate, Cllr Paul Ainsley introduced an amendment to limit the display to the first and last days of February. Cllr Ainsley, speaking in his capacity as the council’s Armed Forces Champion, argued that the council must remain "balanced and consistent" in how it recognizes different groups.

He expressed concern that a month-long display would create an "imbalance" compared to other significant commemorations.

"Events such as Armed Forces Day and Remembrance, both of which carry deep national importance, are marked for a single day," Cllr Ainsley noted in his supporting paper. "It would be challenging to justify a full month-long display for one group when others, including veterans, receive a much shorter period".

 The vote on the amendment was split down the middle, leading Chairman Cllr Chris Nix to use his casting vote to pass the restricted two-day schedule.

The decision has sparked a sharp backlash from the original proposers, who believe the move misses the point of the month-long observance. Their original report highlighted that February was strategically chosen to mark the 2003 abolition of Section 28, a law that once prohibited local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality.

They also argued the flag serves as a "solemn remembrance" for LGBTQ+ victims of the Holocaust and an apology to veterans who were historically criminalised for their sexuality. "In my personal opinion, this decision significantly devalues the purpose of observing LGBT History Month, which has been recognised since 1994," the sponsoring councillors Brookes stated.

The friction extended to the council's public relations. The council rejected a draft press release from Cllrs Wadsworth and Brookes, stating it contained personal opinions rather than a neutral corporate stance. Cllr Brookes maintains that the now-approved version fails to inform residents of the historical reasons for flying the flag.

Questions regarding public opposition were also raised. While the flag was flown last year with few negative objections seen on social media, a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that Oakham Town Council received only one written objection from a resident.

However, a different picture emerged this week. Chris Evans informed both Cllr Wadsworth and Cllr Brookes that he had personally answered numerous telephone calls from individuals that were "extremely abusive and homophobic" during the period the flag was flown last year.