Pride flag complaints sent to businesses in anonymous letter writing campaign

A deli in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, is one of several businesses to receive an anonymous letter complaining about the flying of Pride flags. The deli, Just So Italian, however, have said that they are “shocked and disgusted” by the letter and will continue to support members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Businesses across Market Harborough had shown their support from the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month by displaying Progress Pride flags, organised by Harborough District Council. But as the month approached its close, a customer sent an unsigned first-class letter, anonymously complaining about the Pride flag suggesting that it was "a message of hostility" and warning the deli would "certainly lose" customers. The letter, which was also sent to other businesses asked them to take down the “divisive flag”

Just So Italian assistant manager, Tiffany Ryan said: “We were quite shocked and disgusted, it was really out of the blue.

"The member of staff who opened the letter is a member of the LGBTQ community himself, so it was quite emotional opening [a letter with] that attitude posted through the letterbox.

"We need to let people know that we don't accept this kind of behaviour. We don't tolerate it, and we just wanted to make sure that everyone knows they are welcome in our deli.

"We don't care who you are. It's just all about Italian food. We don't want people to be nervous about coming in.

"We need to stand up for a community that already gets so much hatred directed towards them, because at the end of it, they're people."

Harborough council's lead for culture, leisure, economy and tourism, Jo Asher, added that the council was "proud" to support Pride month with flags across the town centre and on its Symington Building offices.

She explained: "We want to show that everyone is welcome in our district and flying the Progress flag demonstrates our strong commitment to equality and diversity."