Oakham Town Council have chosen not to fly the LGBT flag through the month of February to mark LGBTQ+ history month, instead opting to only display it on the first and last day of the month.

At an Oakham Town Council meeting on Wednesday 14 January, Cllr Martin Brookes and Cllr Sally-Anne Wadsworth appealed to the full council to by the LGBT inclusive progress flag at Cutt's Close in Oakham throughout the month of February to mark LGBT History Month.

The appeal hoped to put this in place annually going forward. Last year was the first year the LGBTQ+ history month was flown in Cutt's Close.

According to the appeal put forward to the council, LGBTQ+ History Month is an important time to reflect on the discrimination and persecution of queer people.

The month of February marks LGBTQ+ History Month to align with the 2003 abolition of Section 28, which severely restricted the discussion and presentation of homosexuality by local authorities and in schools.

It also allows a time for reflection for those persecuted by the Nazis in concentration camps for being homosexuals and their erasure after, not being recognised as victims of the Nazis.

Flying the LGBTQ+ flag is to recognise and commemorate this history and, according to Cllrs Brookes and Wandsworth, 'celebrating this month affirms the Council's support for equality and the importance of learning from past legislative discrimination.

The vote on the motion by the town council was split, with the Chairman Cllr Chris Nix casting the deciding vote to support an amended version of the motion.

The amendment, which was put forward by Cllr Paul Ainsley was accepted with the council opting to fly the flag on the first and last day of February, rather than the whole month.

Speaking about this decision, Cllr Brookes told Nub News: 'this decision significantly devalues the purpose of observing LGBT History Month, which has been recognised nationally and internationally since 1994.'

In a statement shared by Cllr Ainsley, deputy Mayor of Oakham, said: 'I want to be clear of the outset that recognising LGBTQ+ residents and supporting inclusion is important, and I fully support the council marking LGBTQ+ History Month.'

'[...] The intention behind this amended proposal is to find a balanced approach. It avoids creating an imbalance between commemorations, and it helps us avoid setting a precedent that may de difficult to apply consistently in the future. At the same time, it still enables us to show respect, solidarity, and recognition in a clear and visible way.

'Flying the flag on the first and last day of February offers that balance. It provides a meaningful and visible statement of support while keeping our approach in line with how we mark other significant occasions.

'For example, events such as Armed Forces Day and Remembrance, both of which carry deep national importance, are marked for a single day. It would be challenging to justify a full month long display for one group when others, including veterans, receive a much shorter period.'

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READ MORE: Could Oakham become UK Town of Culture?

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