Ex Southampton Chairman and now Reform MP Rupert Lowe posted a photo of the progress pride flag with the comment “This flag should not be on display in hospitals, schools and other public sector institutions. If private individuals wish to display their views, that’s fine – but not when taxpayer money is involved. Keep politics out of the public sector.” Whilst many added their agreement with Lowe’s analysis several government MPs had the opposite view.
Labour MP Oliver Ryan responded calling Lowe a bigot on twitter: “Reform? Bigoted?! I’m shocked. Shocked, I tell you. Rupert, hun, we’re not going anywhere.”
Mr Ryans view seemed to be endorsed by John Hayes, Labour Party MP for Bournemouth East who added to the thread “Upset by a flag. So delicate.” Other Labour MPs such as Mike Tapp also seemed to agreed with Mr Ryans tweet adding “I think Rupert needs a hug and some reassurance.”
The flag pictured is the modern pride flag which now includes stripes to represent the experiences of people of colour, stripes to represent people who identify as transgender, gender nonconforming (GNC) and/or undefined. Daniel Quasar’s flag includes the colors of the trans flag, as well as black and brown stripes harkening back to 2017 Philadelphia Pride Flag, which sought to further represent the queer and trans identities of black and brown people. Those two stripes also represent those living with HIV/AIDS, people who have passed from the virus and the overall stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS that remains today. In 2021, the Progress Pride Flag was revised by Valentino Vecchietti of Intersex Equality Rights UK to incorporate the intersex flag. In the new design, the chevron of the Progress Flag includes a yellow triangle with a purple circle in the middle.
Should the Progress Pride Flag be allowed to be flown at Schools, hospitals and public sector buildings or do you agree with the Labour MPs?
