Thousands sign petition protesting Progress Pride flags on London’s Regent Street

Nearly 20,000 people have signed a petition protesting plans to display Progress Pride flags along one in all London’s most famous thoroughfares.

The petition was launched by Christian Concern ahead of the display planned for Pride month in June. 

It is common for outlets, train stations and other public spaces to be decked out in Pride flags every June.

Progress Pride flags differ from traditional Pride flags with the inclusion of brown, black, light blue and pink stripes. These additional stripes represent people of color, trans people, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

The petition to Westminster City Council calls the flags “divisive” and “gaudy”, and says they’re “completely inappropriate for this historic, iconic street on the centre of London”.

“Each June, our neighbourhoods are swamped with Pride flags as councils, shops and other businesses signal their support for LGBTQ+ ideology. It’s time to stop this,” the petition reads.

“Rainbow flags are bad enough – but ‘Progress Pride’ flags add transgender stripes – a movement that has done untold damage to gender-questioning children in recent times.”

It adds that the flags “make everyone who doesn’t support the entire LGBTQ+ agenda feel unwelcome”. 

“They send the message that Christians, and others with historic beliefs about sexuality and gender usually are not welcome,” the petition said.