Pride flag flown in 'visual sign' of support

A local authority is flying the Pride flag as a "visible sign" it supports the LGBT+ community, a councillor has said, after politicians in neighbouring areas stated they would discontinue the practice.

Liberal Democrat-led Newcastle City Council raised the rainbow flag outside its headquarters on Thursday to mark Pride Month.

The decision comes after Gateshead Council refused to fly the flag outside its offices in a move which mirrored that of their fellow Reform UK-led council in Sunderland.

Newcastle Lib Dem councillor Rob Austin said seeing the Pride flag flying created a "sense of belonging" for many people and showed the city was a place where diversity is "celebrated".

"It is a simple but powerful symbol of our ongoing commitment to equality, respect and fairness and a visible sign of support for our LGBT+ community," he said.

"We recognise that other councils make different choices but in Newcastle we believe in championing inclusion openly and with pride."

Last week, Gateshead Council's newly-elected Reform leadership said it had "no problem" with people supporting Pride but it was not a matter for its administration and it would no longer provide funding to Pride events.

Council leader Nick Allan described Pride as a "socio-political" cause, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Reform councillors in Sunderland also announced last month they would "never" fly the Pride flag outside City Hall.

Last year, Reform-led Durham County Council pulled funding which amounted to £12,500 from Pride events.

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