There were dissenting voices at council last week, but plans to fly the rainbow flag this month during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival will go ahead after all, something the Mountains lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community is relieved about.
Ruth Green, vice-president of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) NSW and a member of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) committee, said it was "reassuring to families who have children who are same sex-attracted" to see the flag flying for the sixth year running.
"I know we have a mayor and council who are trying to develop the Blue Mountains into a community that is inclusive, accepting and respectful of human diversity, that is a safe place for everyone whether you live here or visit for a little holiday," Mrs Green said.
Council was asked to fly the flag in Civic Place at council's administrative centre by Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore.
Ms Moore said the flag was a "well-established international symbol" of the LGBTI community's "pride and dignity" dating back to 1978 when a San Francisco artist, Gilbert Baker, designed it for their Freedom Day parade.
But Liberal councillors Chris Van der Kley, Daniel Myles and Michael Begg voted against the proposal, even though Clr Begg gave the thumbs up to a marriage equality proclamation by council in January. Council's marriage equality proclamation has proved controversial with the letters pages of the Gazette inundated ever since the story appeared in the February 5 issue.
Clr Begg would not be drawn when asked about the apparent flip-flop on the issue and Clr Van der Kley also did not respond to Gazette questions.
But Clr Van der Kley told the council meeting last week: "I've taken a stand relating to the flag ... it should only be the nation's flag, so I won't be voting for it."
The flag has been raised every year since 2010 and Romola Hollywood, council's IDAHOT representative, said she was "mystified" as to why three Liberal councillors had chosen to vote against the flag flying.
"We will be one of a number of councils in the greater Sydney metropolitan area making this symbolic gesture to highlight our community's values of inclusion and acceptance of diversity.
"I am pleased that Blue Mountains City Council has supported the recommendations from the IDAHOT committee to fly the rainbow flag during the weekend of the internationally renowned Mardi Gras Festival."
Founding IDAHOT member Kevin Hardwick of Lawson said "no one had voted against the flag before but this time three did and I think it's a disgrace and insulting".
Mrs Green said she was "sad" and "very disappointed" some councillors were opposed to the flag flying, adding some of the debate through the letters pages of the Gazette about marriage equality had also been "hurtful".
Blue Mountains Council is one of a number from across the state, "from as a far field as Tenterfield in the north of the state and Albury in the south" supporting marriage equality, Clr Hollywood said.