Sarnia's mayor isn't sure rainbow flags will be flown at city hall this June, but it has to do with infrastructure -- not LGBTQ2 rights.
The Sarnia Pride and Transgender Association is asking for council approval to fly its multicoloured flags during Pride Month.
Mayor Mike Bradley said there has only been one flag pole at city hall since the 1980s, which flies the Canadian flag, so he's suggesting flag poles in Centennial Park or Paul Blundy Park be used instead.
"I think there's a greater discussion about how do we move forward for next year," said Bradley. "If the flag flies on the waterfront this year, does council wish to move forward and have another community flag pole at city hall and how do we deal with the requests that come in for that."
Bradley said any request would have to be carefully vetted.
"One of the reasons I stopped issuing proclamations as mayor, probably about 15 years ago, was because I was approached by a good group, a European heritage front, turns out it was a racist group. So at that point, on legal advice, I stopped issuing proclamations, because if you issue one, you must issue them all."
Bradley said he thinks respect and human rights language included in bylaw changes could address that.
"But it's more complex than I think some people have made it, in the sense that we need to have a review of what we are doing now and how we can make it happen if we wish to make it happen this year and in the years ahead for all groups that make the request to city hall," he said.
Councillor Bill Dennis is asking that the flags fly at Centennial Park this year and external lights at city hall display rainbow colours for the month, while staff look into the possibility of flying the flags at city hall next year.
Council will consider the request Monday.