Plans to hoist a Pride flag in a Wiltshire market town have sparked a lively debate on social media.
On Tuesday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council has applied to Wiltshire Council for consent to fly Progress Pride flag between June 1 and 30 - Pride month.
The application follows a warning from Wiltshire Council planning officials in the summer of 2025 that the flag requires advertising consent.
While councils are permitted to fly the Pride flag - along with international, national, Commonwealth, local and historic flags - the Progress Flag is not included in the list of permitted flags.
Hundreds of readers jumped on Facebook to share their opinions on the matter.
Many readers would prefer to see national flags flown.
Wayne Smith said: "Can we have a straight guys flag up as well? Some of us don’t really want it thank you. Put a nice British flag up that actually means something to everyone.
Michael Kevin Mohan said: "Only flag should be our National Flag. This is a ROYAL town. The Union Flag or the England Flag should be flown. NOT other random flags for a whole month."
Mike Jacko Jackson said: "Fly it in your own front garden but not the town hall, you will offend people."
Andy French said: "It offends straight people. If the rainbow flag is all about inclusivity, where’s the H or S for Heterosexuality/Straight?"
And Colin Goater said: "There is no pride in that flag. There is however the colours of the rainbow - the rainbow first given as the sign of a promise given to Noah and his family that there would never be again a flood to cover the earth. To call it a Pride flag is acknowledging a misappropriation!
Joe Earing said: "Pull it down like they pull down our British flags."
And Harry Saffron: "If I can get my hands on it I will tear it down."
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But other readers were supportive.
Christiane Glennie said: "The comments on this thread show exactly why Pride is still necessary."
Stuart Remmy Causer said: "I bet all these people saying no don't even live in Wotton Bassett. Well I do and walk past the flag post every day. The flag is very welcome."
Alexander David Fairgrieve said: "Wonderful. This simple message of hope and tolerance is invaluable to those that are persecuted, bullied and mentally tortured simply for being who they are."
And Sam Newbury said: "Growing up in Wiltshire I often didn’t feel like I belonged.
"I grew up under Section 28 so at school, LGBT couldn’t even be mentioned.
"On TV it was always a joke, a thing to be ashamed of or a massive scandal.
"I’d have people drive by and shout slurs just while I was walking around. I grew up with so much shame for something I had no choice about.
"I’ll never forget looking up at the Civic Hall and seeing the Pride flag flying. I realised that even in a small town I was seen, accepted and belonged.
"I looked at it with hope that more people would feel comfortable to live their authentic lives and that they could feel like they belong."
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