Absolutely appalling to see #Pride flags being taken down in response to Cornerstone Book's homophobia in #PrideMonth in #Matlock #Derbyshire #UK
Could anyone help explain to the bookshop ( www.cornerstonebooks.co.uk/ ) why this is problematic in any way that may be effective to make them listen or effect their business?
Council update 20 June: https://matlock.gov.uk/press-release-20-06-25/
Also, making views known to the local council, who will be discussing this incident at their council meeting on 21 July may help. Contact townclerk@matlock.gov.uk and tell them you won't visit homophobic Matlock
Also the local MP (parliament representative) John Whitby john.whitby.mp@parliament.uk
or https://www.derbyshiredaleslabour.org.uk/john-whitby/
https://bsky.app/profile/johnwhitbymp.bsky.social
https://www.facebook.com/JohnWhitbyArtist
@StingrayBadger Thought I would share the email I've got sat waiting to send to the Town Clerk and John Whitby MP:
Good morning
With horror this morning, I was reading the news and read that Matlock Town Council has removed the Pride flag from the high street [1] following a homophobic complaint from a local business. Due to this, I have decided to remove Matlock from my tourist itinerary this year.
Pride, and communities showing solidarity with LGBTQ+ people, is incredibly important, moreso given recent and sustained attacks against the community. By removing the flag, the town council has sent the clear message that members of the LGBTQ+ community are not welcome in Matlock including its own residents.
1/3
The nonsense reasoning from Judy Crook of Cornerstone Christian Bookshop, as quoted, is “we’re not happy with the gay rights situation”. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that "gay rights" are not gay rights; they are human rights.
Flying a Pride flag during LGBTQ+ Pride month is a simple, powerful and visible way of showing solidarity with a minority under sustained attack from many directions.
Further nonsense was quoted from Dan Price (Reform UK Ltd), saying the UK was a “Christian country” [1] which is anything but the case. The Office of National Statistics reported that "less than half of the population (46.2%) described themselves as “Christian” [2] on the 2021 Census. Both the quoted people from the article, who claim to be Christian, are clearly not following or acting in line with the teachings of Christ, which in mind negates their claim to be Christian
2/3.
While I will not be reconsidering my boycott of Matlock this year as the removal of the Pride flag should never have happened, please return the flag to its place on the high street.
I look forward to a positive resolution that respects the wider diverse community, both in Matlock and the UK.
Yours
Ollie
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/19/matlock-derbyshire-council-removes-pride-flag-christians-complain
[2] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/religion/bulletins/religionenglandandwales/census2021
3/3
Stingray's Badger Friend
Ollie 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️