VANCOUVER, B.C. — Gay pride was everywhere, except on a flag pole at City Hall today in Surrey.
It was the city’s annual pride celebrations which took place at Holland Park, and participants were determined not to let the event be overshadowed by Surrey’s decision not to fly the rainbow flag.
Councillors said city policy prevented them from flying anything outside other than the usual three flags: for Canada, the province and the community. Instead, they’re flying it in the atrium. But some argue that’s simply “closeting” the LGBT community.
“If the city’s not showing it, Holland Park is. So we’re among our friends, family and the rest of the community and showing our pride,” an event-goer told Global News.
Others are getting creative. Don Pitcairn of Surrey Shirts, put an interesting spin on the city’s motto: the future is here.
Judy Villeneuve, a city councillor told Global News, “this city is not homophobic. It supports the community and all the diverse groups that we have,” including financial support to the pride celebrations. The city plans to install a fourth flag outside, to showcase community events.
But pride supporters today said that’s not soon enough.
“Surrey is a big city and we think it’s about time they start acting like one,” said Pitcairn.
–With files from Jeremy Hunka.
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