Airdrie rejects straight pride flag
Posted July 3, 2019 7:40 am.
Last Updated July 3, 2019 12:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
AIRDRIE – After the city hosted its first pride celebration last month, Airdrie city council has unanimously rejected a request to fly a straight pride flag above city hall.
The request came from Larry Boland, who represents the group “It’s Great to Be Straight.”
In an email to council, Boland was asking the city to officially recognize the group on Aug. 12.
Councillor Tina Petrow gave an emotional response to the group’s request.
“I have never had a friend of mine and I’m sure that nobody else has, that has been beaten up, murdered, refused entry to a building, event, bus, been refused a job or felt scared to leave their home simply because they were straight,” Petrow said, trying to hold back tears.
Petrow said the straight pride flag is not inclusive and doesn’t represent everyone.
“The flag that has been brought forward today and the concept is … solely to exclude one section of our population,” Petrow said. “Where the pride flag does the exact opposite.”
Councillor Al Jones said the group seems to be based on another in Boston, which plans to hold a straight pride parade in late August.
“I cannot find … anywhere in Canada where this organization is recognized,” Jones said.
Council voted to receive the letter as correspondence but did not act on the request to fly the flag.
With files from CityNews
