The Oxford Union has rejected calls to reinstate the compulsory flying of the LGBT flag every Pride month.
Critics of the order feared that it would open a “Pandora’s box” of demands for other flags to be flown.
Anita Okunde, the union president, asked the standing committee, run by students, to enact an order that would “require every union president to fly an LGBT flag clearly and visibly from the courtyard throughout June every year.”
The president would also be given the discretion to waive the requirement “in the event of the death of the Sovereign, or at such other time when public buildings fly their flags at half mast”.
The Oxford Union has rejected calls to reinstate the compulsory flying of the LGBT flag every Pride month
Getty/PA
The union president claimed that the requirement had been mysteriously removed from the committee’s rule book, stating it was not “a new standing order change”.
Despite the calls, seven out of four voted to reject the motion in a secret ballot on May 5.
Pride Month is traditionally celebrated in June worldwide, including in the UK.
In 2025, the occasion will take place from June 1 to June 30.
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Critics of the order feared it would open a 'Pandora’s box' of demands for other flags to be flown
GETTYPassing the motion would "open the floodgates" to others who will push for the same request, according to the third elected member of the committee from Keble College.
He added that by “expressing his belief that everyone in the standing committee supports the LGBTQIA+ community regardless of the flag being on display, the motion should not be ratified”.
Okunde dismissed the idea that the move would open "Pandora's box", claiming the standing order had existed for many years.
She added she had “never heard of anybody being upset or requesting another specific flag to be flown to her knowledge”.
Pride Month is traditionally celebrated in June worldwide, including in the UK
PAThe committee's individual views on LGBT representation were protected through the use of a secret ballot, with opposition voices against the motion acting cautiously to avoid being cancelled.
Following the ruling, online critics forced their views with one writing that the change was “confirmation that the union is as bad as everyone thinks it is”.
Another said: “To be fair, at least it keeps the LGBTQ+ community safe by giving a warning as to where they aren’t welcome.
"If the union wants to make it clearer, it could always vote on whether to have a sign reading: ‘Bigots within beware’.”
The change in the original order has not been explained.
