Council to fly the Rainbow Flag in 2023

Published on 17 November 2022

Gannawarra Shire Council will fly the Rainbow Flag on the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex discrimination and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) after receiving a petition calling for the flag to be flown in the municipality on Wednesday, 17 May 2023.

A petition from the Local Government Rainbow Team, calling for the Rainbow Flag to be flown on IDAHOBIT Day, was received by Council at the October 2022 Council Meeting. In line with clause 104 of Gannawarra Shire Council’s Governance Rules, the petition lay on the table until the November 2022 Council Meeting.

“The flying of the Rainbow Flag on IDAHOBIT Day builds on Council’s commitment to support the LGBTIQ+ community through its Social Inclusion Strategy 2019-2023 and through partnerships and programs within Gannawarra as identified in the Growing Gannawarra – 2021-2025 Council Plan,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

“IDAHOBIT Day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s removal of homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, as well as celebrates LGBTQIA+ people globally, and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination.”

Consideration will be given in the coming months as to where the Rainbow Flag is flown on IDAHOBIT Day, with all flagpoles outside the Kerang Council Building and two of the three flagpoles outside the Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre at Cohuna used for the Australian National Flag and the Australian Aboriginal Flag.

“Options that Council can consider is erecting a third flagpole outside the Kerang Council Building to allow the flying of community flags; using current infrastructure with flagpoles available at Atkinson Park and along the Bendigo Road median strip at Kerang; or erect a new flagpole in an appropriate location allowing for community flags to be flown when requested,” Mayor Gillingham said.

Council will also develop a Flag Flying Policy to address future requests to fly flags to promote causes within the municipality.

“Council does not currently have a policy that addresses the placement of flags for advocacy support to inform decisions such as what has been raised within this petition,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“Requests such as these are currently dealt with on an ad hoc basis, whilst current placement of the Australian National Flag and Australian Aboriginal Flag are undertaken through reference to the Flags Act 1953 and the Australian National Flag Protocols.

“It is proposed this new policy, which will be presented to Council at a later date for consideration, will address how residents can apply to fly a flag outside Council buildings to promote causes within the municipality, as well as the guidelines that will determine how these requests are addressed.”