Sidmouth: District council declares transgender support

East Devon District Council has declared its support for transgender people.

The transgender flag will now appear on flag poles on all council buildings on two days of the year – 31 March and 20 November, which are days of visibility and remembrance for the transgender community.

Councillors and officers will be given inclusivity training, and the authority will publicly state that trans rights are human rights.

Further, officers will compile a report on Stonewall's diversity champions programme, with a view to the council potentially signing up to it.

Cllr Bonetta's motion was overwhelmingly supported. "It's a really positive move," he said. "And one of the benefits I think of it, and one of the good things, is it wasn't taken down a political rabbit hole.

"It was supported... which is a positive change in policy for all people across the district, working with the Equalities Act (2010) to make sure we represent it to its fullest.

"My personal believe is this council nor the state really in general has no right to meddle in people's personal lives – how they want to live, how they want to love and how they want to act, generally speaking," he added. "And this being a non-political move does remind me of the gay marriage move back in 2013, and that was obviously put forward by a political government and that was supported widely across the range.

"Because, at the end of the day, the state has no right to meddle in how people want to live, how people want to love and how people want to act. That's where we are; we're in a position where this council is now allowing those policies to be created, allowing the equalities act to be fully implemented for everyone, and I think that can only be seen as a positive change."

Council leader Cllr Paul Arnott (Independent East Devon Alliance, Coly Valley) added: "Everyone knows that this is a contentious issue, and everyone knows that elements on social media, the press and a small number of politicians use it as clickbait. That is shameful.

"Above all else, this is about a council of elected members showing kindness and consideration for a group of citizens on a challenging journey. I perfectly understand that public opinion on this is in the balance, but while that becomes settled over the years the people at the heart of the issue must be shown tolerance and respect. A council can signal its support for that position and EDDC can be proud that it has just done precisely that."

Cllr Vicky Johns (Independent, Ottery St Mary) said: "Education is key. I'm a Christian and the whole point is to love thy neighbour regardless. It doesn't matter what your personal thoughts are, you love people for who they are, not what you think they should be."

Cllr Ian Hall (Conservative, Axminster) told the council that it represents all members and communities in the district.

"We do represent all in our society, and if not, we're in the wrong game," he said. "Because through our individual and collective journeys, education and making sure that we are aware of all aspects within our community is absolutely key to unlocking our potential."

Cllr Helen Parr (Conservative, Coly Valley) suggested that the flag be flown on council buildings all year round, not just on two days.