Pride Flag moved after objection from Christian Bookshop

Matlock Town Council, in Derbyshire, has relocated a Pride flag after a Christian bookshop made an objection. Cornerstone Christian Bookshop in Dale Road, above which one of many Pride flags in the town had been placed, requested that the flag be removed because it did not want anything "representing specific political causes".

Image by Matlock Town Council

Last year, the council approved a budget to replace a number of flags in the town and add Derbyshire and Pride flags to complement the existing union jacks flown in the town.

A statement from the trustees of Cornerstone Christian Bookshop explained: "The bookshop is an inclusive organisation that wants to share the Christian faith with everyone and we do not want to advocate or condemn anyone on the basis of their belief or sexual orientation.

 "As a Christian bookshop we would have been delighted to have flown the Derbyshire flag, the flag of St George or the union flag.

"Unfortunately, due to lack of initial consultation on the matter, we had to decline to fly the flag allocated to our shop, as a matter of conscience and in keeping with our faith and scriptures.

"Many of the other faith communities in Britain would also have declined to fly this flag. Fortunately, we are blessed in this country with freedom of conscience and freedom of religion legislation, enshrined in the Equality Act of 2010 which allows religion or belief as a protected characteristic.

"We are therefore very grateful for the speedy removal of this flag when we raised our concern to the council."

The Council received the bookshop’s complaint and concerns that the flag may be “forcibly removed” so took quick action to relocate it to another central location to avoid confrontation or damage. A Council spokesperson said that the decision was made "purely from a health and safety standpoint" and it stood in "full support of the LGBTQIA+ community".

In a statement, town council leaders explained: "The move was made without malice or prejudice, and we sincerely apologise to any individuals or groups who were hurt by this decision. We recognise how symbolic the flag is, especially during Pride Month, and we acknowledge the impact this action had, regardless of intent."

Neighbouring shops were among those that expressed their disappointment.

Katie Abey, who runs a shop next door said: "We were a bit saddened and disappointed that those sort of views are held that strongly. But it's been really nice that it's pulled people together in such a brilliant way.

"It was nice for the council to include the Pride flags amongst the St George and the Derbyshire flag... it's quite validating as a queer person to see the Pride flag being included, especially in Pride month."

Lisa Clements, who runs a tea room near the bookshop added: "When the rainbow flag went up we were really pleased. It just showed inclusivity for the whole of the town and I was very shocked to see it had disappeared.

“It's really sad what's happened and that we can't just live together in perfect harmony regardless.

"Yes, it's June and it's Pride month but that shouldn't make any difference because it should be about inclusivity for everybody. It's just a flag but it's about what it represents."

The decision to relocate the flag also prompted some criticism on social media, however deputy mayor Ashley Orwin, welcomed the criticism, suggesting that it showcased the inclusivity of the community.

Orwin said: "As a gay man in public office, this has only been a positive thing... this has sparked our first Pride [event] in the Peaks in Matlock that's going to happen next year… it has shown how inclusive and accepting the community is.”