The Progress Pride Flag was flown for the first time at Newcastle City Hall on February 17 to support the LGBTQI+ community and coincide with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The Progress Pride Flag will be flown together with the Australian, United Nations, NSW, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at City Hall for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras until March 6.
It will also be flown to coincide with future days and events, including International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia, Pride Month, Wear it Purple Day, Newcastle Pride Festival and Trans Day of Remembrance.
The Progress Pride Flag incorporates the existing six-coloured Rainbow Flag, widely recognised as the symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities.
The flag also includes a multicoloured chevron representing trans, nonbinary and gender diverse people.
The chevron comprises black and brown for Indigenous people and people of colour, as well as white, pink and blue, the colours of the Trans Pride Flag.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the importance of celebrating the diverse community could not be underestimated at a time when fostering inclusivity is one of the main priorities.
“City of Newcastle is committed to ensuring our city celebrates diversity and advocates for inclusivity in support of our LGBTIQ+ community,” Cr Nelmes said.
“As the city with the highest ‘Yes’ vote in regional Australia in support of marriage equality, we want to ensure that our community feels safe and supported, which is why we’ll be flying the Progress Pride Flag on days and for events that hold significance amongst Newcastle’s LGBTIQ+ community.
“Flying the flag demonstrates to our local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer community members that our city stands with them, not only during Mardi Gras but at all times.
“I’m incredibly proud to witness the flying of the Progress Pride Flag, which has become a widely recognised symbol to represent all LGBTIQ+ community members, for the first time at Newcastle’s City Hall.”
City of Newcastle has demonstrated support of the LGBTIQ+ community through several initiatives in recent years, including the establishment of a rainbow walk in Islington Park, support of the ‘yes’ campaign and marriage equality and sponsorship of Newcastle Pride Festival.
The flying of the Progress Pride Flag was an initiative brought about via a Lord Mayoral Minute and supported unanimously by the elected Council in September 2021.
Information source: City of Newcastle