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Councillors are divided over calls to officially fly the rainbow flag while Australia decides whether to allow same-sex couples to marry.
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If approved by councillors, Wagga would join the likes of Albury, Ballarat, Melbourne and Brisbane in publicly taking a positive stance on the divisive issue.
It comes as organisations across the country report an increase in calls to mental health support services as both sides of the debate ramp up the rhetoric.
According to sources within council, mayor Greg Conkey will ask councillors to consider flying a rainbow flag – a symbol of pride and diversity in the LGBTI community – at the council chambers next Monday night.
But not all councillors support the idea. Veteran councillor Yvonne Braid said she thought the same-sex marriage postal survey had nothing to do with council.
“I was elected to council to represent all of the community, not just some of the community,” she said.
“I have worked with and have great friends who are in same-sex relationships and a lot who are the opposite and I’d hate to do something for just one group. And what do you do for the ‘no’ supporters, it’s all political, it’s not a council issue and we should not get involved.”
Support for LGBTI people was needed to combat increasingly-divisive campaign messages about the postal survey, according to former Australian of the Year, Professor Patrick McGorry.
Australia is on the threshold of something really positive but we do have to manage the risk to vulnerable people over the course of the debate.
- Professor Patrick McGorry
In Albury, support for same-sex marriage has been an official position of council since 2014 and deputy mayor Amanda Cohn said she was proud her city was displaying a rainbow banner.
“As a doctor, I’m quite concerned about the mental health of young LGBTI people who are questioning their sexuality,” she said. “This is a difficult time for them and I think it’s important to show support to a vulnerable segment of the community.”
Wagga councillor Rod Kendall said while there was varying opinion on the subject of same-sex marriage, council had a role to play in ensuring a good, accepting society.
“There are certain protocols about flying flags, but there might be an opportunity to to use our banner poles in the main street,” he said. “Personally, I’d be happy to use our infrastructure to fly the flag.”