Blindsided bayside councillors see red over Rainbow Flag decision

A bayside council has come under scrutiny after its mayor backed tentative plans to fly the Rainbow Flag and light up city landmarks on IDAHOBIT Day without consulting councillors.

Redland City Council mayor Jos Mitchell has backed plans to fly the Rainbow Flag outside council chambers but says the decision was an organisational one.

A bayside council is attracting criticism for failing to consult the wider community over plans to fly the Rainbow Flag and light up some city landmarks on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia next year.

Anger arose after Redland City Council issued a statement this week from mayor Jos Mitchell saying the organisation had made the decision to fly the Pride flag on May 17.

Cr Mitchell said she supported the move as an important demonstration the council valued diversity but had asked the acting CEO for background details in relation to the decision.

She said the plans were revealed after media questioning.

“I understand there was an organisational decision to fly the flag for one day next May on IDAHOBIT Day, the day the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality as a listed disease in 1990,” she said.

Flags on display outside the Redland City Council chambers. Picture: Judith Kerr

“Brisbane City Council and a number of other councils do the same.

“I have asked the acting CEO for background in relation to the decision.

“Personally, I am supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“I understand a few councillors have expressed their concerns about the flying of the flag for one day.”

The mayor’s claim that operational staff made the decision raised eyebrows among councillors with three claiming they were blindsided by the move and unaware of the plans until after the press release on Thursday.

Councillor Paul Golle also questioned the cost of lighting up major landmarks, with the council usually consulted on projects with financial implications.

“The council does not typically fly flags for other significant days, such as United Nations Day, and this could highlight a potential inconsistency in the council’s approach,” he said.

“This is a complex issue, and if I were in the mayor’s position, I would have convened all councillors to discuss the correct protocols and explore a position of compromise.”

The matter is expected to be raised in chambers on Monday with calls for the “democratic process within the council” to also be discussed.