Residents of the Township of Norwich in southwestern Ontario were left disappointed and dismayed after the council voted to ban Pride flags on municipal property. The motion, which passed 3-2, allows only the flags of federal, provincial, and municipal governments to be flown on township property. The decision has sparked outrage among some residents, with many feeling that the council’s decision sends a message that members of the LGBTQ community don’t matter.
Coun. Jim Scholten, who introduced the motion, defended his proposal by saying that having a broader flag policy would lead to endless requests for various flags to be flown, inevitably leading to more disunity and alienation of people. He added that the decision to fly only the flags of federal, provincial, and municipal governments would “maintain the unity” of the community.
However, resident Cody Neville, who is gay, expressed his disappointment and heartbreak over the council’s decision. He said that banning Pride flags on municipal property feels like going back several decades, and it sends a message that the queer community is not welcome in Norwich.
The council also voted against a motion to proclaim June as Pride month in the municipality beginning this summer. This decision comes after several cases of vandalism involving Pride flags and banners in support of the LGBTQ community were reported in the township last year. Neville lamented that such incidents and the council’s recent decision are causing the township to become a more divided community.
Many residents, including Tara King, expressed concern about the emotional impact this decision could have on the community. King, who teaches high school in the area and has two children who attend school in Norwich, said that the decision will further divide the community, making it harder for people to feel a sense of belonging.
The decision by the Township of Norwich to ban Pride flags on municipal property is a setback for the LGBTQ community and a reminder that there is still a long way to go towards achieving equality and acceptance for all.