Rainbow is go: Sydney inner west council votes to raise the pride flag for the first time
ANOTHER Sydney council has voted to raise the rainbow flag this Mardi Gras, doubling the total number of town halls displaying the LGBTI emblem compared to last year.
However, with just over a week to go until the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival kicks off, 18 Sydney metropolitan local government areas (LGAs) are still refusing to say whether they will even consider the idea.
On Tuesday, councillors in the inner-west LGA of Ashfield voted unanimously to accept a motion form Mayor Lucille McKenna to display the flag from February 20 to March 7 to coincide with the festival.
“Joining other metropolitan councils to raise the rainbow flag during the festival will continue to demonstrate Ashfield Council’s support for a creative and inclusive community,” McKenna said in a mayoral minute.
Ashfield Council — which covers the suburbs of Summer Hill, Ashfield and Haberfield — borders the Leichhardt and Marrickville LGAs, both of which have flown the flag for some years.
McKenna said displaying the flag would continue a long tradition of support for LGBTI people in Ashfield, including working with the iconic Darlinghurst Bookshop to source books and DVDs for the area’s libraries, community events featuring talks by queer LGBTI authors and the installation of NSW’s first permanent rainbow crossing in Summer Hill.
McKenna said raising the flag “is in keeping with council’s commitment to recognise and respect all people in our community”.
Ashfield is the seventh Sydney council to have who have committed to hoisting the banner, with the LGA joining Botany Bay, Manly and Pittwatter in doing so for the first time.
The eastern suburbs council of Randwick will debate the matter when Liberal councillor Scott Nash brings forward a motion to be heard on February 24.
Five councils – Penrith, Liverpool, Hornsby, Mosman and Bankstown – have told the Star Observer they will not display the flag.
Two weeks ago, a further six, including Parramatta, North Sydney and Canada Bay, said they would consider the proposal – first suggested by City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore – but none have confirmed if those considerations have made any progress.
Meanwhile Waverley, Willoughby, Rockdale, Canterbury, Burwood and Blacktown councils have all remained silent on the issue.
Earlier this month, Mardi Gras chief executive Michael Rolik said: “The rainbow flag holds great significance within the community and is seen as a symbol of acceptance and equality.
“By having other councils recognise and celebrate this through the raising of the rainbow flag would carry great weight within the LGBTQI community.”
Flying the flag? Yes:
Ashfield
Botany Bay
Leichhardt
Manly
Marrickville
Pittwater
Sydney
Flying the flag? Maybe
Canada Bay
Holroyd
Ku-ring-gai
North Sydney
Parramatta
Randwick (Vote on February 24 )
Ryde
Flying the flag? No
Bankstown
Hornsby
Liverpool
Mosman
Penrith
Flying the flag? If they are, they haven’t told anyone
Auburn
Blacktown
Burwood
Camden
Campbelltown
Canterbury
Fairfield
The Hills
Hunters Hill
Hurstville
Kogarah
Lane Cove
Rockdale
Strathfield
Sutherland
Warringah
Waverley
Willoughby
Woollahra
It is 2015, come on Australia – put up and fly the rainbow flags and just allow the marriage equality bill to pass immediately please!
Warringah Council has already resolved to fly the rainbow flag from the council chambers in Dee Why.
Congratulations Ashfeild xoxo your the winners
Tarnia Patton
Thanks Matt. I’ve sent it to the Councillor who was very supportive of this idea.
They make enough money off Mardi Gras … Why shouldnt they??
Fantastic
Rainbow Store would like to thank everyone for their orders of rainbow flags. Now to get a rainbow flag on the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Yay! It’s still feeling guilty for the rainbow chalking they washed off hah. But brilliant work! Ashfields miles ahead!
Amanda ‘Sticks’ Stickland
Mayor or Warringah Council released a press release in the Manly Daily today saying they will fly the rainbow flag AND allow for chalk rainbows in our area! Yay Mike Regan
There’s already a rainbow flag flying in North Sydney. Saw it yesterday
That’s great
Yay!!
On ya Ashfield
If mardi gras are not holding events in these council areas I fail to see the importance/relevance.
People live there, go there, and some of them may feel warmth in their heart from seeing the flag.
I disagree Dev. Mardi Gras is about community not geography. Why shouldn’t councils reflect the diversity of their populations by flying a flag for a week a year? And if it was about geography why isn’t Auburn Council flying the flag considering the Mardi Gras volleyball festival is happening within that council area?
I live in Ashfield. Outside the mall there are pigeons drunks and old people.
What we need is a rainbow flag to brighten everyone’s day.
Thank you Ashfield!
Awesome…keep em coming x
Congratulations to Ashfield Council! A lot of people will feel a lot better about living this multi-cultural area.