A rural community in southwestern Ontario has voted to ban Pride flags and all other non-civic flags from flying on communal lands and street lamp poles, and some residents are angry.
The new constitution was approved in Norwich, Ontario. permits only flags representing local, provincial, and federal governments to be flown on community property, or banners related to the promotion of downtown business or downtown beautification.
The original charter was proposed by Coun. John Scholten at a Tuesday night council meeting, specifically targeting Pride and Progress banners.
“Whether flown together or separately, these [government] Flags are all we need to represent the diverse and multicultural citizenry of Norwich Township,” said Scholten. “By flying these flags alone on the community property, we can live together in peace and harmony no matter who we are or what we believe.”
#BREAKING: Tonight the Norwich Council voted against raising Pride Flags on communal land and they voted against designating June as Pride Month. These two movements are homophobic, transphobic, biphobic and truly non-Canadian. #OxfordCounty #ONpoli #CDNpoli pic.twitter.com/KbzMe3gDjg
— Jordan Kent 🇨🇦🌈 (@votejkent) April 26, 2023
However, an amendment to the statute eliminated any specific reference to Pride and Progress banners, instead focusing on all flags that did not meet the criteria.
The statute drew crowds of supporters and opponents from 2SLGBTQI+ advocates, who labeled the motion as “homophobic” and “un-Canadian.”
If you think what’s happening in the US isn’t going to happen here… just go to Norwich Township Council and look at the absolute homophobia going on between this + last summer’s flag burnings. That’s why we need #Pride 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
I’m very proud of Councilor Stubbs! #onmuni https://t.co/g2LYYdd9iV
— Kelly Elliott (@kellyelliottmcm) April 26, 2023
Scholten suggested that raising the Pride flag would inspire other communities to request their own flags as well.
The municipality of Norwich in southern Ontario voted *today* to ban non-state flags, including Pride & Pride Progress flags, from being flown/displayed on public property and voted against June’s declaration of Pride Month. Homophobia is alive and well in Canada, even if you don’t believe it. https://t.co/0EwwfrjgxS
— JAWN•ə•thən (@jprast1) April 26,
The motion passed 3-2 with Mayor Jim Palmer breaking the tie.
This is very worrying! Friends and allies, I urge you to reach out to the mayor and aldermen via email.
I created a google doc with a sample email and their contact information which you can access here: https://t.co/qtpvVP6MU8 https://t.co/FglHYUk988
— Sarah 🫐 (@booksandtea123) April 21, 2023
In 2022, rainbow flags hanging from the city’s lampposts in celebration of Pride month were torn up and burned in protest.
About the growing hatred in Canada, the 🏳️🌈 flag and why yes, we need Pride in 2023 too. In the last week:
➡️ Students in Halifax burned the Pride flag at their high school,
➡️ Norwich, Ontario has banned the Pride flag from all government property (inspiring other communities),
— Nick Schiavo (@NickSchiavo_) April 26, 2023
The council also voted against a motion that would recognize June as Pride month in the community.