Latest news with #ProgressPride
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Warwickshire Reform's Pride flag focus is pathetic, says Green MP
An MP has accused Reform UK of "getting its knickers in a twist" over a Progress Pride flag flown outside a council headquarters - and also told the party to focus on more important issues rather than "posturing and performative politics".Ellie Chowns, the Green Party member for North Herefordshire, was referring to a row in Warwickshire where Reform UK requested the county council it leads to remove such a told BBC Politics Midlands that Reform's focus on flags was "pretty pathetic" and voters were more interested in potholes and bin on the same programme, Reform UK's Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire Council, said: "We are defending the public interest." He added: "We were elected on a mandate and we intend to do it."Also among the guests for Sunday's broadcast were Conservative MP for Kenilworth and Southam Sir Jeremy Wright who said the flag row in Warwickshire was a "distraction" and was not what most people cared about."For heaven's sake, are we really going to discuss what flag flies outside Shirehall in Warwick as a priority for the people of Warwickshire?" he row began when the county council's acting leader - Reform UK's George Finch - wrote to the authority's chief executive, asking for the flag to be removed during Pride chief executive refused, stating in an email response that such decisions rested with her - a stance described as a coup d'etat by Zia Yusuf, head of the national party's department of government efficiency. It later emerged that the authority did not have the technical advertising consent required to fly a Progress Pride flag outside HQ. The flag's design differs from the standard Pride rainbow flag which is not subject to permission. The flag has since been removed following the end of Pride said there was "nothing whatsoever" wrong with the Pride flag, but council buildings should "represent the people of the county and of the United Kingdom"."If you want to fly a Pride flag or any other flag, go and find a flag pole and fly it," he said. Another guest, Sureena Brackenridge, the Labour MP for Wolverhampton, said that in her constituency "not many people are really concerned about what flag flies outside the council buildings".Her comments were echoed by Chowns and Sir said she believed "people care about potholes, about bin collections, people care about social care and looking after vulnerable adults and children in the community".Sir Jeremy said Warwickshire County Council had huge challenges which should be taking up the council's time, instead of flag policy."I really do worry that this is a demonstration of what many of us are concerned about, which is that Reform is all about slogans and not much about delivering things that people really care about," he added that if Reform wanted to set a flag policy, it needed to be debated by councillors. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Church Doubles Down After Preacher Encouraged Prayers for LGBTQ Deaths
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An independent Baptist church in Indianapolis has defended a sermon in which church members called for the deaths of people in the LGBTQ+ community. On July 3, preacher Justin Zhong said in a post on the Sure Foundation Baptist Church's Facebook page that the church would not apologize for the sermon. "The Bible is crystal clear that sodomites (homosexuals) deserve the death penalty carried out by a government that actually cares about the law of God," Zhong wrote. In an emailed statement to Newsweek, the Sure Foundation Baptist Church said: "The Bible puts the death penalty on the LGBTQ people. We as Christians must believe and preach what the Bible says. The reason people are so shocked about all this is not many 'Christians' and even 'pastors' actually believe the Bible. To be clear, we only called for the government to execute those people. We are against vigilantes." Why It Matters The church's unapologetic endorsement of violent anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric reflects a worrying rise of open homophobia in the United States. According to the Human Rights Campaign, citing FBI data, there were 2,402 reported hate crime incidents targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation in 2023—up 23 percent from the previous year. What To Know On June 29, the Sure Foundation Baptist Church held "Men's Preaching Night," where multiple church members used homophobic slurs and called for violence against the LGBTQ+ community while speaking from the pulpit. In a sermon titled "Pray the Gay Away," Stephen Falco addressed the LGBTQ+ community, saying: "You ought to blow yourself in the back of the head. You're so disgusting." "How shall we then properly pray for gay people?" he continued. "We should pray for their deaths, plain and simple." A photo showing a Progress Pride flag on a flagpole in Taylor Square, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney. A photo showing a Progress Pride flag on a flagpole in Taylor Square, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney. After Falco spoke, another church member repeated similar violent and homophobic rhetoric. "You got another Pride Month here. I mean, obviously, I think they should be put to death," Wade Rawley said. "These people should be beaten and stomped in the mud, and then they should take a gun and blow the back of their heads off," he continued. After the sermon, which was broadcast live on Facebook, gained widespread criticism, the church took to its Facebook page to double down on the message. Zhong, who signed the message, wrote: "I will not apologize for preaching the Word of God. I will not apologize for stating facts. I will not negotiate with terrorists, among whom the LGBTHIV crowd is full of domestic terrorists." The church is no stranger to courting controversy. Zhong said in a sermon last year that he would like to see then-President Joe Biden and presidential candidate Donald Trump put to death. What People Are Saying The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, a community activist group, condemned the sermon in a statement: "The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis stands firmly against the harmful rhetoric recently preached that condemned all LGBTQ individuals to hell and instructed people to stay away from them. Such messages are not only theologically irresponsible but pastorally dangerous." What Happens Next Sure Foundation Baptist Church appears to be unfazed by criticisms of its homophobic rhetoric and is likely to continue with its inflammatory sermons.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Warwickshire council boss vetoed Reform's Pride Flag removal request
Reform UK has accused Warwickshire County Council's chief executive of a "coup d'etat" in a row over removing a Progress Pride Yusuf, head of Reform's department of government efficiency, made the claim after Monica Fogarty refused to remove the flag before the end of Pride month from outside the council's Shire Hall headquarters in Reform Warwickshire leader, George Finch, wrote to the council's chief executive asking for the flag, which includes the colours of the trans rights movement and traditional rainbow colours, to be the chief executive refused the request, stating in an email response to Finch that she was responsible for such decisions. Finch made the request after the 18-year-old replaced Rob Howard who stepped down after just over five weeks in the Fogarty said: "I am afraid I will not be taking the action that you are requesting" adding that she "saw no reason" to diverge from the council's policy of flying the flag annually during Pride added: "This council does not have a formal policy around decision-making on the flying of flags" and suggested the leader should look for the council to vote on one should he wish to introduce one. Her view has been backed by the leader of the Green Party in leader Jonathan Chilvers said: "Leaders, let alone interim leaders, can't make a decision on a whim based on what they ate for breakfast that morning - that's what dictatorships are made of." Mr Yusuf accused Ms Fogarty of acting like the "monarch of Warwickshire" and "subversion of democracy".He added his belief that "unelected bureaucrats" had "seized control of the country."Following the local elections in May, Yusuf said: "Reform-controlled English councils will move at speed to resolve that the only flags permitted to be flown on or in its buildings will be the Union Jack and St George's flag." Reform does not have overall control of the council in Warwickshire, although it is the largest Progress Flag has since been removed from Shire Hall following the end of Pride Councillor Finch and Ms Fogarty have been approached by the BBC for comment.A new Reform group leader is expected to be chosen by the party in the coming days, with the formal appointment as council leader due to take place at a meeting of the full council on July 22.
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘David vs Goliath' as Limerick takes on mammoth Manchester for EuroPride 2028 bid
If successful, the joint bid from Limerick and Clare would mark the first time the international LGBTQIA+ celebration is held in Ireland. The event, which has previously taken place in cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Lisbon, could bring over 100,000 visitors and inject more than €2.5 million into the local economy. 'I move that this district work with Limerick LGBTQ Pride, The Outing Festival, and Queer Clare to provide support in their bid to bring EuroPride 2028 to the west of Ireland,' Cllr Hickey-O'Mara told the chamber. 'If successful, the bid will be as big as Limerick City of Culture, and as big, if not bigger, than the Ryder Cup.' Cllr Hickey-O'Mara urged immediate action from the council, to ensure the festival goes to Limerick and not Manchester. "This is David V Goliath', he said. He urged the council to fly Progress Pride flags, provide logistical and financial support for the bid, repaint rainbow crossings, and welcome EuroPride adjudicators during Limerick Pride Week next month. The motion brought was one of bravery by the Social Democrats councillor: 'As the only openly LGBT councillor on Limerick Council, I feel really compelled to speak about this and to tell you that things are far from fine.' 'Across the world, our community is seeing their rights being systematically rolled back. Politicians are backing away from our community, as are companies who formerly supported pride events. 'Nowhere is this more apparent than with the global targeting of the trans community, which, let's call a spade a spade, is simply regurgitated homophobia,' he stated. He shared distressing local testimonies of harassment and discrimination. 'One person who works for Limerick Council even contacted me to say that they aren't out at work due to witnessing colleagues use homophobic language in the workplace,' he revealed. ADVERTISEMENT He called on his colleagues to 'educate yourself,' engage with LGBTQIA+ organisations, and 'challenge hate and disinformation, whenever and wherever you encounter it.' Councillor Olivia O'Sullivan formally seconded the motion, saying: 'We are living in a time where there is fear and division being created in our communities. 'It's extremely important as community leaders that we set the tone,' she said. 'We need to support everyone to live safe and happy lives." Others echoed their support. Cllr Ursula Gavan said: 'Anything that raises awareness and increases respect and tolerance has to be commended.' Cllr Sarah Beasley noted: 'To think that a community in this day and age, 10 years after the referendum, are still struggling, it's very hurtful to see.' In support, Cllr Maria Donoghue, suggested branding the event as the Prider Cup 'just to kind of ride on the Ryder Cup thing for the name!' Eileen Coleman, Senior Executive Officer for Tourism, said: 'We are happy to support the bid and have already met with the organisers.' She confirmed the council would 'take on board all the proposals mentioned' and provide an update at the next meeting.
Metro
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Christian group threatens Westminster Council over 'indoctrinating' pride flags
A London council has been threatened with legal action after hanging trans-inclusive Pride flags around Regent Street from this weekend. Group Christian Concern says Westminster Council is 'indoctrinating' visitors to the famous West End location and breaching planning control. The Crown Estate, which owns most of the property on Regent Street, lodged plans in March to hoist hundreds of flags in 20 locations between mid-June and mid-July to support Pride events. But after being permitted by Westminster Council in mid-May, Christian Concern says the council is opening itself up to potential legal action. In recent years, the display has included over 300 LGBTQI+ Progress Pride flags, developed in 2018 by non-binary American artist and designer Daniel Quasar. Based on the iconic rainbow flag from 1978, the redesign celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ community and calls for a more inclusive society, celebrating trans, black and brown, gender non-binary and intersex community members. But hardline Christians say the flags, which on June 22 will replace Union Jacks currently flying to mark VE Day, create division by excluding more traditional views. Christian Concern has previously made the point to the council that the Cass Review prohibits the indoctrination and confusion of primary school children with trans ideologies. But the group claims: 'The flags do just that, exposing the hundreds of thousands of children who walk up and down Regent Street, including those who visit Hamleys, to a message and symbols which will be unlawful to teach and display in schools.' Last year, Christian Concern launched a petition signed by 31,000 people calling for a similar display to be stopped. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: 'Many people experience these flags as an attack on historic, traditional beliefs about sex and gender. 'They send the message that people holding these views, which are worthy of respect in a democratic society, are not welcome. 'The majority of the public does not know the highly controversial and harmful symbolism presented by the Progress Pride Flag. At the heart of the flag is the trans flag – pink for girls, blue for boys and white for the 'transition' phase. 'This ideology has been discredited by the Cass Review, the closure of the Tavistock, and most recently Supreme Court ruling. When will the Crown estate catch up with the rest of society? 'If the council chooses to proceed with the display, we will have no option but to pursue legal action.' The proposed flags will be hung from supporting wires, making use of existing fixing points which are intended for reuse. In the planning report, Westminster planning officer Shaun Retzback noted that the flags would be hung at 20 locations along the street running from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly from June 22 until July 17. He said: 'Flags are, in principle, an acceptable, colourful addition to Regent Street's buildings and there is a longstanding tradition of such displays. More Trending 'The flags proposed, to be strung on lines across the street, are not harmful to visual amenity for the temporary period sought, neither are they harmful when considered cumulatively with other flags and banners displayed on buildings in the street at present and across the street from time to time.' A Westminster City Council spokesperson told Metro: 'The council supports festivals and celebrations from our different communities across the year. Pride is an annual and established fixture and has been supported by the Council for many years. 'Pride flags are in keeping with a cosmopolitan City that welcomes millions of visitors every year. All public community celebrations have a fixed duration and are both proportionate and fitting. Given similar pronouncements in previous years we await further information about the Christian Legal Centre's legal challenge with interest.' Metro contacted the Crown Estate. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: £20 Pan-Indian feast from a Michelin-starred chef: 10 unmissable Time Out deals MORE: Enjoy the weekend's heat with London's best boat restaurants MORE: 'Swan Whisperer' banned from Hyde Park after residents objected to him kissing the birds
