Members and allies of the LGBTQ community in Petawawa, Ontario, are frustrated and seeking change after their mayor rejected their request to develop the mayor’s Pride flag, citing a city policy they considered “outdated.”
“We do not have any pride events in Petavawa. It is OK. Nothing at all. There are no processions, no picnics, no flags, “said Jennifer Neville, a resident who asked the city to reconsider its decision.
– Our city does nothing.
This is not the first time the city has refused to raise the flag of pride in the town hall, despite repeated requests from residents.
The municipal council failed to accept a proposal last June to revise a decades-old resolution that prevents the municipality from raising the Pride flag or any other flag that shows support for a cause on municipal buildings. Resolution 11, adopted in 1998, states that the Council may not declare any “public proclamations” unless they “concern matters which are wholly and entirely within the immediate mandate of the Council”.
Mayor Bob Sweet and councilors Tom Mons and Murray Rutz voted against the proposal, defeating it. The proposal needed the support of five of the seven-member council to be accepted.
As the month of pride approaches in June, Neville wrote a letter in May to the city council on behalf of the city’s LGBTQ community, asking to meet with the mayor and councilors who voted against the policy change last year and formally request flying a flag this year.
Backstage councilors voted to amend Resolution 11 to allow the city to show support for various events last June. Everyone in the front row voted against the changes. From left to right: Count. Tom Mons, Mayor Bob Sweet and Earl. Murray Rutz. (Petavava City Website)
In a letter on May 31, Sweet reminded Neville of urban policy, which “respectfully refuses to support any declarations” such as the flying of the Pride flag.
“Residents must respect the fact that the council has policies … that must be followed,” he wrote.
It would just be so nice to make the city I’ve lived all my life wave its flag. – Seth Crosby, high school student
Sweet told Neville that since the proposal was rejected, it would not be reviewed until 12 months later due to a bylaw – after June 21, 2022.
“At no time did council members vote against raising the flag of pride,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, many have misinterpreted this and turned it into a discussion of the flag of pride when it comes to whether the council should change or repeal its policy.
The meeting with the mayor is fruitless, residents say
Neville, an ally of the LGBTQ community, explained why it was important for the city to raise the flag this month.
“It’s a beacon of hope and a sign of acceptance and inclusion [the] The Pride community can identify and feel safe and accepted. “
She met with the mayor a few weeks ago, but received the same response: Resolution 11 – something she calls “outdated” politics.
“It’s disappointing,” she said.
Seth Crosby holds a flag of pride. The high school student advocates for the city to fly the Pride flag of its town hall. (Submitted by Seth Crosby)
Seth Crosby, a high school student in Petawawa, joined Neville during the meeting.
“It was frustrating to be told the same thing again,” Crosby said. “You kind of feel stuck.”
Crosby says the policy needs to change to include the community it serves.
“At some point, some rules need to change,” they said. “It would be so nice to make the city I’ve lived in all my life wave my flag and colors. That would be really great. “
WATCH | The student says that their opinion is often rejected
Petavawa refuses to raise the flag of pride in the town hall, citing politics
Petavawa, Ont., Is currently adhering to a decades-old resolution that prevents the municipality from waving a flag on municipal buildings, showing support for the cause. High school student Seth Crosby says it’s time to change that policy.
The mayor says the city must be “neutral” at all times
In an interview with CBC, Sweet said Resolution 11 “served very, very well to this community” by keeping the city “neutral” by not waving flags for any reason.
He pointed to the abolition of abortion protection by the US Supreme Court, set out in Roe v. Wade, as an example he shared with Neville.
“The recent mess that will happen in the United States with Wade and Rowe. Did I say which one to declare? Should I proclaim the right to choose or the right to life? It’s between a rock and a hard place there, “he said.
“If we declare one, we will raise 54 percent of the population.
WATCH | Resident describes being shut down by the mayor
A resident is pushing for “some kind of recognition” for the LGBTQ community in Petawava
Jennifer Neville, a resident of Petawawa, Ontario, says she has forced the city to reconsider its decision not to fly the flag of pride during Month of Pride in June.
He said he did not understand why residents were upset that the council had not raised the mayor’s flag.
“I asked [Neville] that. “I said, ‘What can’t you do in this town if we had a flag of pride to fly?'” Sweet said.
“Could you organize a gay pride golf tournament?” Could you make a gay pride ball tournament?
He said the LGBTQ community has asked the council to fly the flag every year for the past four years.
Sweet said he did not plan to table the debate on the amendment to Resolution 11 himself, and that it would have to be another member of the council.
He repeatedly said “I don’t know” when asked if the council would discuss the proposal again this year.
His next meeting is scheduled for July 4, days after the end of the month of pride.
“On the wrong side of history”
Becky Conroy says she and other members of the Petawawa LGBTQ community are discouraged.
“I am shocked because it seems that in 2022 this should not even be a discussion,” she said. “As a gay woman, as a member of the LGBTQ2S + community, it’s offensive and discouraging.”
Conroy, who works at a school in neighboring Pembroke, Ont., Says the contrast between the two communities is stark.
Pembroke made a proclamation for Pride Month and waved the flag of the town hall. Conroy said she and many Petawava residents go there during Pride Month to participate in the various events the city supports and partners with.
“I feel that in politics or in everything we do, we have to look at things in terms of justice,” Conroy said. “We’re on the wrong side of history here.”
People celebrate the Pride Month at the Pembroke Pride Street Festival in Pembroke, Ont., On June 4, 2022. Petawawa residents say they travel to Pembroke to celebrate Pride events due to the lack of festivities in their city. (Tim Graham)
List of cities with rejected causes
In an email to Neville, the city sent a list of 33 “proclamation requests” it said it had refused since 2007 because of the same policy.
Includes: day of action against anti-Asian racism; military family day; poutin holiday week; children’s mental health week; Awareness Awareness Week; month of prostate cancer awareness; French Ontario Day; and European Heritage Week.
“I do not know what the big dispute is. [They’re] free to do almost anything you want, but we will not announce any specific event, “said Sweet.
“I’m not sure I understand why there is such a setback or repulsion on this issue. I can’t figure out what they think they can’t do in our community. I really don’t.”
Sweet said he asked Neville how the city could show support for the LGBTQ community without waving a flag.
Neville plans to present a list of proposals at the council’s July 4 meeting.
“I hope that these proposals that I present will be accepted … so that for the month of pride next year in 2023, we can have some events or some recognition in our community.”
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