London Raises Fag Flags Once Again

Tue, July 17, 2007
By RANDY RICHMOND, SUN MEDIA

Despite strong warnings from battle-scarred veterans in the tolerance wars, city council last night agreed to raise the banner for gay pride this summer -- the first time in nine years.

"It is 2007. It is high time we did this," Coun. Roger Caranci said.

"This is long overdue. No longer are we going to be petty," Coun. Cheryl Miller added.

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"You will have to do this for everyone," she warned.

Last night's debate arose suddenly out of a recommendation from board of control the city take a look at the flag policy, while it gives $2,500 to the Pride London Festival this year.

Both measures were approved, but councillors suddenly decided to raise the rainbow flag this year for the gay pride festival that runs Thursday to July 29 .

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The city's troubles with flag raising and proclaiming special days began in 1995, when then mayor Dianne Haskett and council refused to proclaim a Gay Pride weekend.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission found the city discriminated against gays and lesbians and ordered the city to proclaim Gay Pride.

In 1998, council allowed staff to do proclamations. That backfired when staff unknowingly approved a proclamation in support of a white supremacist group. Council was forced to call an emergency meeting to rescind the proclamation.