A gay rights activist has filed a complaint with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission over the town of Truro’s refusal to fly the rainbow flag.
Charles Thompson of Truro Pride told the Canadian Press Aug 24 that he believes the case will be successful, because the town has flown flags for other groups. Other provincial rights tribunals have also supported Pride proclamations in previous cases.
Mayor Bill Mills said his belief in the Bible makes it difficult for him to support gay Pride, according to the Halifax Chronicle Herald on Aug 7. Thompson confronted the mayor after council’s decision, and the mayor went on a “religious tirade,” Thompson told Xtra.ca.
A similar case was heard in Fredericton in 1998. The New Brunswick Human Rights Commission ruled that town councils could not refuse to proclaim a Pride weekend.
“If the proclamation is not made, it would have potentially far-reaching consequences in terms of acceptance of homosexuals by others in the community and in terms of their own self-esteem,” the board of inquiry declared.
Both the Canadian and Nova Scotian human rights acts prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Although Truro town council did not allow the flag to be flown at town hall, the county government allowed the flag to be flown at their administrative building, which is also located in Truro.
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