More than 20 years after London's LGBTQ community was discriminated against by the city, Mayor Matt Brown is set to issue an apology to the group.
In an email sent out Thursday morning, the mayor's office stated Brown will deliver the "overdue" apology to the LGBTQ2 community on the front steps of city hall at 11am next Friday, January 12.
“After discussion with our LGBTQ2 community and former city councillors we feel it is time to issue an apology,” read the email.
In 1995, London's then-mayor Dianne Haskett and the Board of Control at the time refused to issue a gay pride proclamation and would not fly the rainbow flag outside of city hall. At the time, Haskett had said there was a policy to decline controversial proclamations. The decision was backed by council in a vote of 13-5.
Council's decision led to the Homophile Association of London (HALO) to file a Human Rights Complaint with Haskett and the City of London being found guilty of discrimination in 1997. Both were fined $5,000.
In recent years, the city has flown the rainbow flag outside of 300 Dufferin Ave. and several current city councillors have marched in the July Pride Parade.
Got this in my email this morning! @MayorMattBrown @CityofLdnOnt #ldnont pic.twitter.com/QczRXTL3EU
— Chad Callander (@chadder87) January 4, 2018