The rainbow flag may be flying over the council chambers at Katoomba until the result of the same-sex marriage plebiscite is known.
Council was last night due to vote on whether to support marriage equality, with the mayor, Mark Greenhill, leading the yes campaign.
Cr Greenhill was presenting a mayoral minute which called on council to come out in support of marriage equality for all.
He also wanted councillors to agree to fly the rainbow flag from today until the vote has been counted.
Cr Greenhill said he believed his fellow councillors would agree.
“This is a human rights issue whose day has come,” he told the Gazette.
“I am absolutely aware that I will face a backlash. I’m also absolutely aware that that backlash may be particularly strong in my ward.
“Sometimes, though, you have to put yourself second and put what’s right first.”
Greens councillor Brent Hoare was due to second the mayoral minute, although he added that he hoped a legal bid to stop the plebiscite was successful.
"I hope the High Court challenges will succeed in overturning this expensive and unnecessary glorified opinion poll but, if not, I encourage everyone to support inclusion, fairness and to finally put an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation by emphatically voting ‘yes’,” he said.
This is a human rights issue whose day has come.
- Cr Mark Greenhill
Cr Greenhill said council had a long involvement with the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
In particular, council has supported IDAHOT, the international day against homophobia and transphobia, with Cr Romola Hollywood serving on the IDAHOT committee and the day celebrated every May.
He also noted that the Australian Local Government Association resolved last year to support marriage equality.
“Back in the 60s, people were fighting for equal rights in the civil rights movement,” Cr Greenhill said. “History has shown them to be right. History will show this movement to be right, too.”
He said flying the flag would send a clear signal about council’s position.
“I’m actually suggesting that we might play a role in the yes vote. And I’m encouraging civic leaders to get out and campaign.
“Flying the flag is a huge statement that the local government of the Blue Mountains supports marriage equality.”
- For vote result, see www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au.
