A flag celebrating Pride Month was recently stolen from the village of Borrowash in Derbyshire, leaving the local council and community appalled. The Ockbrook and Borrowash Parish Council had proudly erected the rainbow flag in Victoria Avenue last Thursday, only to discover its absence between Friday night and early Saturday morning. This act of theft and the subsequent damage to the flagpole have been reported to Derbyshire Police, who are actively investigating the incident.
The flag, symbolizing the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and the ongoing struggle for acceptance, was put up by the council to commemorate Pride Month, a global celebration of diversity and equality that takes place throughout June. The council’s decision to raise the flag this year marks a significant change from their previous stance in 2020 and 2021, when they voted against displaying it.
Councillor Greg Maskalick, chair of the parish council and borough councillor, expressed his dismay at the flag’s theft and emphasized the council’s commitment to inclusivity. He highlighted the council’s recent transformation, with the addition of several LGBTQ+ members, and stated, “As a parish, we are much better than this. We won’t let this sick act beat us or silence anyone’s voice because of who they are. As a parish council, it is our mission to promote and celebrate diversity no matter what form it comes in.”
The Ockbrook and Borrowash Neighbourhood Network, composed mainly of independent councillors who now constitute a majority on the parish council, condemned the theft as a homophobic hate crime. They underscored the gravity of the situation and its broader consequences, emphasizing that acts of this nature must not be underestimated.
Despite this setback, the community remains resilient, and plans are already underway to raise a replacement flag in the village. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and a show of solidarity within and beyond Derbyshire, reaffirming the ongoing need to champion diversity and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
