The statement made by Great Yarmouth and Waveney Pride on 2 June 2026.
Rupert, your comments are deeply harmful, completely misinformed, and do not represent the truth about what that flag stands for – or the reality of the lives of LGBTQ+ people, young or old, here in Great Yarmouth. Let us correct every false and damaging claim you have made:
That flag is the Pride flag – inclusive of trans, non‑binary, and gender‑diverse people – and it stands for safety, visibility, acceptance, and dignity. It is raised to say to every queer person in our town: you are welcome here, you belong here, and you deserve to be treated with respect. It is raised for the young person who feels alone, for the family who worries about their child, and for everyone who has faced discrimination or fear just for being themselves. To twist that symbol of hope into something hateful is a gross misrepresentation.
Your description of healthcare for trans people is factually wrong, offensive, and dangerous. Medical care is evidence‑based, regulated by the NHS and NICE, and follows strict, careful guidelines. For young people, care is supportive, therapeutic, and never involves “life‑altering drugs or surgery” without extensive assessment, consultation, and long‑term support – it is designed to reduce distress, save lives, and help people thrive. To call it “mutilation” is a cruel, dehumanising lie that ignores the lived experience of trans people and the medical consensus. This care does not “destroy lives” – it transforms them for the better, and for many, it is life‑saving.
Language like “sick gender ideology” and “vile idea” is not debate – it is bigotry. It is the same kind of language that contributes to the shockingly high rates of hate crime, mental ill health, and isolation that LGBTQ+ people face every single day. Research repeatedly shows that when communities, councils, and public bodies show support – by raising a flag, by speaking up, by being visible – it improves wellbeing, safety, and outcomes for young people. It does the opposite of harm.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council raising that flag is not something to be ashamed of – it is something to be proud of. It is a promise that they serve all residents, not just those who share your narrow views. It is a recognition that our community is diverse, and that everyone deserves to be seen.
Your threat to remove this support if your political group takes control tells us everything we need to know: you do not want to represent everyone in this town. You want to erase, exclude, and marginalise people who are already vulnerable. As an MP, your job is to stand up for every single person in your constituency – including trans people, including queer young people, including their families.
We at Great Yarmouth and Waveney Pride will continue to stand for truth, for equality, and for love. We will continue to lift up voices that are silenced, and to fight for a town where everyone can live safely and freely. We invite you to educate yourself, to listen to trans people and their families, and to use your position to bring people together – not to spread fear and division.
