Christian group criticises Plymouth City Council after it announces plans to fly Progress Pride flag

A Labour‑run council has come under fire from a Christian group after announcing plans to fly the Progress Pride flag from a prominent civic building during key LGBTQ+ awareness dates.

Plymouth City Council has submitted an application to hoist the Progress Pride flag on a flagpole outside the historic Guildhall. The flag - which adds black, brown, pink, blue and white chevrons to the traditional rainbow - is widely recognised as representing LGBTQ+ people of colour, the trans community and people living with HIV/AIDS.

The council intends to fly the flag during LGBT+ History Month (February), International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (May) and Pride Month (June) as part of a wider Commemorations and Celebrations Policy designed to streamline how the city marks significant cultural events.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, claimed the display would breach Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1986, which restricts councils from publishing material deemed politically partisan. She argued that flying the flag amounted to “political endorsement” and warned that the move could be open to judicial review.

Plymouth City Council has firmly rejected claims of illegality, insisting the Pride and trans flags are not linked to any political party.

A Plymouth city council spokesperson said: “This planning application enables us to fly a wide range of flags on the city centre flagpoles that recognise and celebrate the diversity of our residents, businesses and visitors.

“Plymouth city council does not consider the rainbow flag or the trans flag to be connected to any political party. It is a flag that represents people.“Plymouth is an inclusive city and we do not discriminate against any group or community. Flying different flags throughout the year reflects the many identities and cultures that make up our city.

“Displaying the rainbow flag is one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to ensuring all our LGBTQ+ residents, staff and visitors feel valued, respected and represented.”

Last year, Blessing Olubanjo, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, threatened a legal challenge against Camden council over the installation of a set of road crossings in the colours of the trans pride flag.

Camden council installed the painted blue, pink and white crossings four years ago in Bloomsbury to “help celebrate transgender awareness” and to act “as a reminder of the rich LGBTQ+ history in Camden.”

But Ms Olubanjo, a resident, claimed it “constitutes unlawful political messaging”.