Ontario community reverses course, will allow Pride flag to fly

After extensive controversy that garnered national attention, a small Ontario township has voted not only to allow non-government flags on civic property, but to approve the Pride flag specifically.

The Pride flag was one of 10 categories of flags that received pre-approval from Norwich Township council last week, following a decision late last year to create a township flag protocol that will allow certain flags to be flown on a special community flag pole.

Alisha Stubbs, a former councillor in the town east of London, resigned in protest last May after council voted to enact a controversial bylaw introduced by the now-retired councillor John Scholten forbidding non-government flags on municipal properties. In fact, the wording of his original motion specified that Pride and Progress banners be excluded from the town, but he amended his motion mid-meeting to state only “Canadian, Ontarian and Township banners” be allowed to fly from municipal property.

“The reality of ongoing hate within the Norwich community cannot be ignored, and while it is heartening to witness the dedication of those who strive to address this issue, I also feel hesitant to be too joyous,” she said Wednesday.

“The community — and specific, targeted individuals — have gone through disgusting, awful, and dangerous situations as the result of hate. Each community member plays a role in fostering a community free from the shackles of hatred, and important ongoing actions will need to happen far beyond flying the flag.”

Stubbs added that Councillors Shawn Gear and Lynne DePlanke showed “unwavering persistence” on the matter and that “Oxford Pride, along with countless individuals in the Norwich community deserve a lot of praise, love, and acknowledgement.

“I