Abingdon Refuses To Fly Gay Pride Flag

[mushroom25]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-36697906

a case of a rural conservative council displaying its institutional bigotry? or was it right for the council to uphold its non-partisan flag policy?

[Mamyalynne]

If that's their policy seems fair.

// Mike Badcock added Oxford Pride was not an Abingdon event and, should there be an Abingdon Pride event, "this would be welcomed, and we would be pleased to consider allowing a rainbow flag to be flown from a flagpole on the Market Place".//

[naomi24]

// "shocked and appalled"//

That seems to be a permanent state of being for some people. Yes they were right to uphold their policy.

[Baldric]

//He added Oxford Pride was not an Abingdon event and, should there be an Abingdon Pride event, "this would be welcomed, and we would be pleased to consider allowing a rainbow flag to be flown from a flagpole on the Market Place".//

[Prudie]

"The council has a long-standing policy on which flags it flies from the county hall."
Why should they show an exception just for this? And for sticking to their rules they are bigoted? Good for them.

[jno]

sounds okay, otherwise there'd be demands for them to put up a flag during National Chocolate Week. The policy doesn't seem particularly discriminatory, though yes, those are the flags you'd expect to be flown by a conservative rural council.

[mikey4444]

Who really cares what one Tory Shire does ?

[Svejk]

Gay people & the BBC.

[bazwillrun]

"Who really cares what one Tory Shire does ? "

you obviously...otherwise why even comment ?

[New Judge]

You've forgotten "devastated", Naomi :-)

"Who really cares what one Tory Shire does "

The people who live there might do, Mikey !

[ToraToraTora]

seems fair, fly that they'll have to fly every other "movements" flag.

[ichkeria]

I'd employ the quantum theory approach here. Both options apply. Bigotry probably, but they can hide behind the rules too. If it was something close to their hearts I'm sure they have been only to happy to be 'daring'

[Togo]

//Who really cares what one Tory Shire does ? //

Right I'm telling sp of you.

[Gromit]

The Council has a long standing policy about which flags it flies. The event is not a Council one, so I don't think the Council are obliged to do anything they don't want to.
Not homophobia, just a sensible decision to stick to its own rules.

[Gromit]

'Zealots of Gaydom'.
Weren't they on the pink stage at Glastonbury?

[douglas9401]

Has an edict been handed down that compels everyone to publicly support all things homosexual?
Some may reserve the right not to cavort and blow whistles in celebration, it's called choice, get over it girlfriend.

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe they just realise that having a sexual peccadillo is nothing to be proud about.

[jno]

a, er, peccadillo?