Flying the flag: Pride, protest, and the power of standing firm
The flying of the Progress Pride flag on Regent Street in London has been met with condemnation. How organisations respond in such scenarios is critical to safeguarding their reputations.
This Pride Month, Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate have found themselves at the centre of a legal challenge over their decision to fly the Progress Pride flag – a symbol that represents inclusivity across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, including people of colour, the trans community, and those living with HIV/AIDS.
The challenge, led by the Christian Legal Centre and supported by groups like Sex Matters, claims the flag undermines traditional beliefs and excludes those who don’t align with its message. Their argument? That the flag is divisive and should be removed to ensure “everyone feels welcome.” The irony!
It’s a familiar tension: the desire to celebrate diversity versus the fear of backlash. And while it might be tempting to dismiss these objections outright, the reality is that such challenges can make organisations second-guess their public commitments to inclusion – especially when reputational risk is on the line.
But backing down would be a mistake.
Pin your colours and stand by them
Just as some companies have begun “greenhushing” to avoid accusations of greenwashing, removing the Progress Pride flag could be seen as a retreat from values of openness and equality. It would send the wrong message—that a vocal minority can dictate the terms of public expression and inclusivity.
Thankfully, Westminster City Council isn’t budging. In a statement to The Telegraph, they said:
“Pride flags are in keeping with a cosmopolitan city that welcomes millions of visitors every year. All public community celebrations have a fixed duration and are both proportionate and fitting… we await further information about the Christian Legal Centre’s legal challenge with interest.”
It’s a calm, measured response – with just the right amount of sass. (“Proportionate and fitting” is a wonderful retort, whilst “with interest” is almost certainly bordering on being a tad provocative… which I personally love!).
Sometimes, that’s all that needs to be said.
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