NEWS DESK
‘Shire’ set to join Midsumma Pride March
‘Permanent’ flag IT seems that Mornington Peninsula Shire Council intends to permanently fly the “Intersex Progress Pride Flag” outside its offices. The latest version of the flag, officially recognised as the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag, was unveiled at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, US, in June. The unveiling during LGBTQ+ Pride Month was said to demonstrate “the evolution of inclusivity in the design of Pride flags”. In its quarterly glossy publication Peninsula Wide, the shire says it believes “it is vital we overtly show our support for LGBTIQA+ community members”. Under the heading Respecting diversity, the shire states: “Our Community Vision makes it clear that respect for diversity and inclusiveness are central to who we are. There is no place for hatred, demonisation or exclusion on the peninsula. “The wellbeing of our community is paramount, and this includes those who identify as LGBTIQA+.” The explanation in Peninsula Wide follows the shire and former mayor Cr Steve Holland not responding to questions from The News about the flag (‘Dialogue’ terminated over flag, The News 28/11/23). Unanswered questions remain about who decided that the flag be flown, were councillors told and could other groups ask for their flags to be flown. In its own publication the shire states: “At each of our shire offices, we proudly fly the Intersex Progress Pride Flag alongside the Australian national flag, Victorian state flag, Aboriginal flag, Torres Strait Islander flag, and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council flag. That will continue.” Keith Platt
Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au STAFF, councillors and community members of Mornington Peninsula Shire will be “proudly marching” in next February’s Midsumma Pride March in along Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. This prediction is contained in a shire news release that states “Mornington Peninsula Shire” will march alongside “the Frankston Mornington Peninsula LGBTIQA+ Collaborative” and invites “all local LGBTIQA+ community members and allies to march with us on the day”. As part of its ongoing support for LGBTIQA+ community members the shire is offering free tickets and bus transport to the march. Tina McGuffie, the shire’s senior advisor media communications and advocacy, told The News that saying the shire would be marching was “an example of metonymy, in which a single word is used as shorthand for a broader concept”. “I can confirm that it is shire staff members, councillors and community members who will be marching,” she said. “I can also confirm that the ‘Shire’ will be marching with determination, using a regular measured tread, as per the dictionary definition.” The unattributed 4 December Let’s march loud and proud at Midsumma this February news release goes on to state: “Each year, the Midsumma Pride March sees lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, questioning, asexual, agender, aromantic + (LGBTIQA+) community members and allies … celebrate solidarity in sexuality, sex and gender diversity. “Over 45,000 people line the streets and balconies along the march route to show their support. “People of all ages are welcome. Children and young people aged 17 and under will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.”
Stepping out: Crs Despi O’Connor and Sarah Race joined members of the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula LGBTIQA+ Collaborative at a previous Pride march. Picture: Supplied
The mayor Cr Simon Brooks, in inviting registrations for free tickets to the march, said: “As an organisation, we are proud of our commitment to stand with our LGBTIQA+ residents, community friends, family, allies and colleagues (‘Dialogue’ terminated over flag, The News 28/11/23).” Cr Antonella Celi, who heads the shire’s health and wellbeing committee: “Last year was the first time the Shire marched in Midsumma Pride March. Our continued involvement celebrates our LGBTIQA+ community.” The news release said the march was “an opportunity for shire and Frankston City staff, councillors, service providers and local community members to come together to celebrate, embrace and stand with our LGBTIQA+ community from the peninsula and Frankston”. Continued involvement in the Midsumma Pride March stemmed from the shire’s Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025. This plan outlines our commitment to engage with our LGBTIQA+ community and deliver programs to support them(details:
mornpen.vic.gov.au/councilplan). The news release said the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula LGBTQIA+ Collaborative - “co-convened by the shire and Frankston City Council” - brought together service providers, community members and allies from across Frankston and peninsula “with the aim of strengthening connections and enhancing the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ communities”. The Sunday 4 February Midsumma Pride March will start at 11am at the corner of Fitzroy Street and Lakeside Drive, St Kilda, and after following Fitzroy Street will end at Catani Gardens for celebrations and entertainment, including DJs and live performances. To register for free ticket to march, go to the shire's Eventbrite page: mornpen.vic.gov.au/midsumma2024 Registrations close on 1 February 2024. Details of free return bus transport from the peninsula are also on the Eventbrite page.
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