WATCH: Flag-flying issue at centre of Calderdale’s Pride month row

While rainbow flags and banners have been put up around parts of the borough, they are not on council property officially.

Unofficially, as with Union flags which began appearing last year, some have been hung illegally on lamp posts, or without permission, including on a council building, Hebden Bridge Library.

Calderdale Council’s new ruling group Reform UK has said the Union flag will fly from Halifax Town Hall.

But they are under fire for refusing a request to fly the Pride flag in Pride month from any of its other buildings, most specifically Halifax’s Shibden Hall.

Shibden Hall was the historic home of Anne Lister, widely regarded as the first modern lesbian, and inspiration for the Sally Wainwright-penned hit BBC drama Gentleman Jack, boosting Halifax as a tourist destination as a result.

In response, the Leader of Calderdale Council, Councillor Dan Sutherland, said the Union flag represents all the people of the borough, and Calderdale continues to be celebrated as a place where everyone is valued.

Pride month is a month-long celebration in June that recognises and supports LGBTQ+ people, marking their history and ongoing fight for equal rights and acceptance.

Terry Logan, youth engagement manager of Calderdale’s Happy Valley Pride, said Pride and the Pride flag is also about “remembering the importance of those things, so that we don’t take worrying steps back.”

“But ultimately, Pride is really about a celebration and coming together, so I’m hoping that Reform see sense because I know that, in our community and a lot of people out there, support us,” she said.

Labour Councillor Sarah Courtney (Hebden Bridge and Todmorden East) who made the Shibden Hall request, said: “What I would say is ‘please reconsider’ – it’s a very small symbol to show inclusion and unity.

“The Pride flag doesn’t exclude anybody but it might just make a difference to somebody who is having a difficult time, questioning their sexuality or feeling that they can’t come out – and all of these things have a really negative effect on people, on their health.

“If they see a Pride flag, it just helps them feel a bit more included, so I would just say to the Reform leader and Cabinet ‘do think again’.”

Operations director of Happy Valley Pride, Darren Spruce, said flying the Pride flag for Pride month “is a sign to us that is taken into consideration, that you care.”

He added: “Because the Union Jack at the moment is not being seen by us as something that we can be part of.”

Councillor Sutherland (Reform UK, Illingworth and Mixenden) disagrees with that assertion – he says that the council flies a flag representing everyone.

“We are proud to fly the Union Flag from Halifax Town Hall throughout the year, to represent all the people of the borough, and we continue to celebrate Calderdale as a place where everyone is valued.

“This is not about banning any particular flags but rather ensuring that all the people of the borough are represented,” he said.

Coun Sutherland added: “The council’s flag flying protocol, which outlines the principles, procedures and responsibilities for the flying of flags on council buildings and land will be reviewed at the next meeting of the council’s Governance and Business Committee.

“This is to ensure consistency and compliance with national guidelines.”

Coun Sutherland said his administration was focused on “priority” issues on which people had shown they wanted to see action.

“We’re committed to delivering services that make a difference to local people, with our priorities centring around value for money, the condition of our roads, crime and anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and cleaner streets, and housing.

“As we deliver the change that people are eager to see, our focus is on these priority issues,” he said.