Council makes U-turn in Pride flag row

The Progress Pride flag will be flown above the civic centre in Stafford during its inaugural Pride celebration

A council has performed a U-turn after previously rejecting calls to fly the Pride flag at the civic centre in Stafford.

A row had broken out between the organisers of Stafford Pride and the Stafford Borough Council over whether or not the flag would be displayed during the town's inaugural Pride festival in August.

The local authority had said it limited the use of flags flying above its headquarters.

However, following talks with the event's organisers, the council has agreed that the Progress Pride flag will be flown alongside the traditional civic flag.

In a post on Facebook, the Stafford Pride team told followers that they welcomed the local authority's support.

They said: "Our calling to do this was never done out of denial for the support given by the council so far, it was simply about our community and showing support.

"We are incredibly proud to say that the flag chosen to be flown will be the Progress Flag and will fly with the Stafford Borough Council flag to show their support."

Over the years the original rainbow flag has been redesigned, with some within LGBTQ+ movements arguing it needed to better reflect more communities.

The Progress Pride flag was created in 2018.

It includes black, brown, pink, pale blue and white stripes, to represent marginalised people of colour in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the trans community, and those living with HIV/Aids.

The Stafford festival will be held on Saturday 10 August with plans for a parade and "amazing acts" on the main stage, said organisers.

A spokesperson for Stafford Borough Council said: "We met with the organisers who were grateful for all the support they are receiving from the borough council to help make their event a success and agreed that it could be flown alongside the traditional flag flying from the civic centre for the Pride event."