Calls to make Sydney’s “temporary” rainbow flag at Taylor Square permanent
JUST over a week after it played a key role in the annual Mardi Gras celebrations, there are growing calls for Sydney’s largest rainbow flag, situated in the heart of the LGBTI-centric neighbourhood of Darlinghurst, to become a permanent fixture.
However, City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore is refusing to commit to the structure, which cost $52,000 to erect, leading to fears the LGBTI landmark could be removed and demolished.
The flagpole – which towers over Taylor Sq and sports a 6.2 by 3.4 metre rainbow flag – was installed last October.
At this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the rainbow flag was ceremonially hoisted up the 18-metre pole to mark the start of the parade.
Asked prior to the parade if he would like to see the new flagpole become a permanent fixture, Mardi Gras’ artistic director Ignatius Jones said: “Totally and absolutely.”
He added that the ceremony was a “strong powerful moment and it allows us to honour those people who have been an important part of Mardi Gras”.
Liberal councillor Christine Forster told the Star Observer the flag should remain in place: “It has been warmly received by the public and is a clear and potent symbol of the Taylor Sq and Oxford St area’s historical importance and ongoing connection to the GLBTI community.”
Last March, a motion to build the flagpole – proposed by Forster with the backing of Labor councillor Linda Scott – received approval from City of Sydney.
However, the proposal was only for the flag to be a temporary measure until a dedicated piece of public art celebrating the LGBTI community – backed by Moore – was unveiled in time for Mardi Gras’ 40th anniversary in 2018.
The Star Observer has been told declaring the structure as only temporary was key to receiving council support.
Eyebrows were then raised when the giant flagpole’s initial installation occurred with little fanfare and no ceremony.
Recently, there were further fears for the flag when at the ceremony to mark the hoisting of the far smaller rainbow flag above Sydney Town Hall, Moore referred to the temporary nature of its Taylor Sq counterpart.
Forster said Moore’s comments were “pointed” and she plans to take a motion in the March 30 Sydney council meeting to make the pole permanent.
“The Lord Mayor is insisting that the flag will be removed, but I think that would fly in the face of the wishes of the community, which I believe would want to see it remain, alongside the artwork,” Forster said.
A rainbow flag in Taylor Sq was first proposed by in 2005 by then-councillor Verity Firth, who is now Labor’s candidate in the upcoming NSW State Election for the Balmain electorate.
Between then and 2014 the plan was consistently voted down.
Scott, who had her own motion regarding the flag knocked back in 2013, said: “The Lord Mayor must step out of the way and back Labor’s calls for this brilliant rainbow flag to be allowed to stay permanently on Oxford St.”
In a statement, Moore said her support for Sydney’s LGBTI community was “unwavering” and this year she had written to every Sydney local government mayor encouraging them to raise the rainbow flag above their town halls – many of whom subsequently did.
Moore also said a curator would soon be appointed to manage the creation of the Taylor Sq artwork.
However, she did not commit to the flagpole, saying only: “Flying the rainbow flag is a strong statement of acceptance and support for our GLBTI community, and we have flown 200 of them along Oxford and Flinders streets since 2005.”
Sydney state independent MP Alex Greenwich told the Star Observer the flag “looks excellent” and the community should be consulted on its future, but he couldn’t comment on whether it should remain in place until council released designs for the LGBTI artwork.
“If [the artwork] incorporates the flag then that is wonderful,” he said.
“[But] we shouldn’t play politics about these things.”
Sydney writer and historian Garry Wotherspoon said the Taylor Sq flag represented the many struggles faced by gay people in the area.
“Having some physical symbol of this past is important, people can see the flag, and think – and say – this acknowledges our past here.
“Long may it fly.”
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Living in Melbourne, I cant say it is important one way or the other really. Sounds like a nice gesture. I think we have more important things to concern ourselves with than a flag in Taylor Square though. Probably more useful for all gay establishments and private homes to fly a “rainbow” flag if that’s what floats your boat.
Yes it should stay it is after all a symbol of freedom. Wether straight gay Transgender bisexual. Muslim Christian or Hindu or budism. This a free nation .
Keep it there, what harm does it do?
No it shouldn’t stay. It’s not fair to the other communities represented. However, if Darlinghurst was being promoted as a gay district (which it once was and could be again) Then yes, it should stay, but as a symbol of inclusivity as well as LGBTI pride.
Looks great I say keep it
I agree that the flag should be combined with any artwork …..
Well if it cost money to be installed in the first place it would’ve been logical to keep it there.
Yeh Castro have the rainbow flag everywhere
They don’t fly the heterosexual flag all around Sydney. Oh wait… Heterosexual people don’t have a flag and don’t go around being all “look at me. This is my sexuality. Suck it bitches”. But gay people need a flag, a rainbow crossing and a parade. Makes me embarrassed to be gay.
And guess what? LGBTI folks don’t go around bashing straight people for being straight. LGBTI people also don’t deny jobs and promotions to straight people for being straight. Would you like me to keep going? As for being embarrassed, you should be you jerk. Embarrassed that you ate clearly ashamed of both yourself and your community.
Oh please I’ve never been bashed and I have a lot of gay friends who have never been either. I’ve never been looked over for a job infact it’s been the opposite. If you aren’t getting jobs it’s probably because you aren’t that good at what you do. If you really believe that being gay gets in the way of stuff and effects things in your life maybe stop shoving it in people’s face with flags and parades. They might be more accepting and respectful of you if you are just yourself
Dude i wish my life was as perfect as yours, I’m 33, own a business, my house and car, I’ve worked hard for what I have. But I was bashed and beaten my whole life for being gay in the Illawarra. I’ve worked hard to prove I’m more then a “faggot” but coming to Oxford st was the only place I felt free, straight people have the rest of Australia with lots of straight clubs ect. For me I have to drive almost 2 hours so u can have a fun night out and not worry about getting in a fight because I kiss a boy. Syd people are a lot more open minded but I’ve had to fight for my life and I think they should have the flag stay. For people who have had it harder then others. Sounds like you are one of the lucky ones. Don’t take it for granted.
I’ll preface what I’m about to say by saying that I’m sorry that has happened to you. But all leaving the flag does is promote the GLBTI community in a place that is already GLBTI oriented. Realistically if they want to effect “change” why isn’t this done in places like the Illawarra that may be more homophobic. But again people are bashed every day for their lifestyle choice, race, religion, beliefs, appearance. The GLBTI community isn’t anything special in that regard. But we don’t fly the flag of every race or religion or community group around the place either.
One flag one people one race one nation, …. JUST PUT THE AUSSI FLAG UP …. FOR GOD SAKE DON’T ALIENATE YOUR SELVES ….. STILL…..
Brett Brown
Yes. In memory of all the LGBTQI Peoples whose lives have suffered from homophobia from Police, The Legal System, their families, Religions, & institutional heterosexism. Especially, the ones who were murdered or driven to suicide by institutional homophobia. There should be a plaque to stating that to accompany the Flag .
When I stand at Castro at look at the flag there, I cannot think of anything else other than the struggles (and ultimate sacrifice) that Harvey Milk made for LGBTIQ awareness. I can’t think of anything less appropriate for Taylor Square. If SCC committed $52,00 to erect it, what is the cost to remove it, and what would the on-going costs be? Is SCC merely paying lip service to supporting the LGBTIQ cause? Oh wait. They can spend another $52,000 to erect it again next year.
“Less appropriate”?
Thanks, Michael. Fixed now.
No. It’s not a flag of a sovereign country or anything like that. It should go.
Unless I’m entirely unobservant, I’m pretty sure the flag was gone when I was there on Saturday. Every year we get promised a permanent installation on Oxford street, to no avail. As awesome as the temporary installations are is such a huge expense for something that’s not permanently
You have to be kidding wtf
Oh for goodness sake. Just leave the bloody thing there.
It’s not as if it’s a traffic hazard like the crossing was!
Of course it should be permanent. It’s fantastic and beautiful. What sad bastard wouldn’t want that?
Of course it should stay but we all know it won’t be allowed for some stupid reason or another, Oxford at is the gay capital of Sydney just like the Castro is in sanfran, let’s just let the bloody flag fly!!!!!!
Keep it there! I honestly can’t imagine anyone WANTING it taken down, and as a local resident I am VERY proud to have such a gorgeous and prominent landmark that suits our diverse and unique culture on display for the world to enjoy.
Every single time we pass the flag, my boyfriend looks up at it, his fresh face beaming, and says how happy it makes him that we have our own HUGE rainbow flag stood so proudly at Taylor Square. I may be getting on (just a bit) but he’s the future, and it’s his favourite part of Oxford Street.
Keep the flag. Celebrate, embrace, rejoice all year round!
YES !!
Absofabsolutely!!!!!
Of course it should be permanent!!
That rainbow street crossing should be too
Who gives a Fuck either way!
YES! It should stay!
Absolutely!
This would be great to have erected permanently , after such another wonderful Mardi Gras parade and festival again , it shows the importance to the community.
There should be no prejudice in anyway …
It’s Oxford st , the heart of the gay community ..
With this may come the reality that the businesses along here might improve the quality and resurgence that this area once had …
Maybe a flag might be a new beginning
The Roads Minister will just rip it up like he did w the rainbow crossing.
Déjà vu
YES