Bath & North East Somerset Council can officially fly the Intersex Progress flag after a retrospective planning application was approved.
The flying of the flag above the Guildhall in Bath divided opinion, with 25 objections and more than 50 comments of support received by the council.
B&NES Council has flown the Rainbow flag – commonly known as the Pride flag – for many years to mark events including Pride as a visible demonstration of inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ communities.
The application for advertisement consent for the new flag said that the council had been advised to apply for permission following discussion with both the chief executive and the leader of the council.
It said that in recent years, many civic bodies and organisations have adopted the Progress Pride flag.
The updated flag was designed in 2018 and incorporates the original Rainbow flag and an additional chevron of black, brown, light blue, pink, and white stripes to represent historically more marginalised groups within the LGBTQ+ community, including those from black and minority ethnic communities and transgender people, plus a purple circle on a yellow background representing intersex individuals.
Comments of objection to flying the flag in Bath included one who called it a “politically charged and divisive flag” that risked damaging the reputation of Bath.
Other objectors said:
- Flying the flag does not align with the recent Supreme Court ruling on gender.
- It would be an “inflammatory and divisive gesture”.
- It excludes non-LGBTQ+ people.
- Flying the flag would deter visitors who object to the political message.
- The council should support LGBTQ+ people in more “hands-on, less tokenistic ways”.
Supportive comments included:
- The importance of the council demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity.
- The flag is a positive, supportive, welcoming and inclusive symbol.
- It represents equality, compassion and fairness and represents anti-discrimination.
- It is a meaningful gesture given current and ongoing attacks on LGBTQ+ groups and their rights.
- Its removal would be far more detrimental to perceptions of Bath.
Liberal Democrat councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall (Timsbury) said in his letter of support: “Unsurprisingly as B&NES Council’s member advocate for LGBT+ issues, I strongly support the application by the council to fly the Intersex Progress flag from the permanent flagpole on the roof of the Guildhall, Bath.”
He said the proposal involves no substantial changes beyond the updated flag design.
Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Halsall (Oldfield Park) wrote to say he is “proud to live in and represent such an inclusive city where we respect the values and individualities of all our residents, visitors and those who work here and the contributions they make to our communities and economy”.
He added that “there is no politics in planning” and the application was purely to seek retrospective advertisement consent to consider the impact of the flag and its design on public safety and amenity.
Meanwhile Councillor Lesley Mansell (Radstock, Labour) said: “The flag is a powerful emblem of Bath and North East Somerset’s dedication to inclusion, equality and civic representation.
“Its presence affirms the rich diversity of our community and amplifies voices that have historically been marginalised within the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum.”
She said that just as flags are flown to mark Remembrance Day or cultural celebrations, the Progress Pride Flag plays a “symbolic civic role, not a political one”, adding: “It honours human dignity and shared belonging, not policies or partisanship. Flying the Progress Pride Flag does not create division, it bridges it.”
In granting advertisement consent for the new flag last Friday, 15th August, the B&NES planning officers said the proposal is compliant with relevant planning policies and legislation.
Their report said: “The application highlights that the Progress Flag incorporates the original Pride Flag along with additional colours and symbols to represent historically more marginalised groups and that the flag will only be flown during appropriate relevant occasions.
“Greater visibility and representation of these groups may advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations, in addition to tackling prejudice and promoting understanding between those who do and do not share these characteristics.
“In addition, Pride-related events, during which the flag would be displayed, for example Bath Pride, are open to participation from all members of the public should they choose to, whether they consider themselves as LGBTQ+ or not.”
