CITY of Vincent Mayor Emma Cole will push to fly the rainbow flag outside the administration building regularly beyond this month.
The flag went up in August in support of the LGBTQI community during the marriage equality survey, with plans to bring it down on November 22, one week after the survey results are released on November 15.
The City also launched a Vincent Loves Love campaign and posted signs throughout the municipality.
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READ NOWMs Cole said she hoped to see the flag flown during future Pride festivals.
“It’s an interesting one; it could just be something we discuss (without a council motion being necessary),” Ms Cole said.
“I’d like to see more presence of the rainbow flag, otherwise it would go into storage.
“There are people who think council should stick to the three Rs – rates, roads and rubbish, – but I believe if you are doing your core business well and meeting your requirements, then it is open to local government elected members to represent their community in other ways.”
Perth MLA and former Vincent mayor John Carey said he believed Vincent would continue to be progressive and supportive of LGBTQI issues even without LGBTQI representation.
“Council is reflecting the community,” he said.
Mr Carey said his own sexuality had been attacked as mayor and MP.
“If anyone doesn’t like me or agree with me, they refer to my sexuality and attack it, and it is disgraceful, but it is a small number of people that do it,” he said.
He said he would not rule out marriage in the future if same-sex marriage was allowed by Parliament.
Glamorous start to this year’s festivities
THIS year’s Pridefest got off to a glamorous start on the weekend with a launch party and Fairday.
The festival will conclude with the Pride Parade on November 25, with many events scheduled in-between, including a rainbow traffic light party at The Court and Community Picnic at Kyilla Park.
City of Vincent’s move to fly the flag during part of this year’s festival came five years after former councillor and mayor John Carey helped establish WA’s first Relationship Declaration Register, which provided a formal recognition of same sex relationships. In 2014, Vincent adopted the Marriage Equality Proclamation and joined the national Mayors for Marriage Equality Group.
The Perth MLA said Vincent was ahead of the game but its LGBTQI support had been consistent since.
“Marriage equality was not being debated at the time, but we recognised that there was no way couples in the community could be recognised,” Mr Carey said. “The first ceremony came in when I was mayor and a large number of people came, people dressed up.
“The register provides recognition in court cases and is useful for demonstrating the relationship when going overseas.”
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