The agreement was reached following a meeting of Glasgow City Council today at which Green Party councillor Martin Bartos proposed the motion to fly the flag, which was seconded by Bailie Docherty of the Scottish National Party.

In proposing the motion, Bartos urged the Chamber to recognise that an international sporting festival of global significance will take place in Glasgow and that he and his colleagues were representing the city on the international stage.

"People from across the diverse Commonwealth of Nations; athletes, their supporters, volunteers and well wishers; will descend upon our home city to join Glaswegians in watching or taking part in a joyous event," said Bartos.

"As the athletes together strive to do their best and make those dearest to them proud, skin colour or where they're from, gender or who they love, class, caste, religious or political beliefs or the absence of them - none of that will matter, nor should it.

"We should do what this Chamber has done before - proudly, creatively, forthrightly, we should take a stand that we welcome all diversity."

Following Bartos' speech, the motion was debated with the Chamber finally agreeing to fly the LGBT flag at the headquarters of Glasgow City Council, although the exact protocol of when and for how long the flag will be flown is yet to be determined and is set to be decided by the Lord Provost Sadie Docherty.

Speaking after the debate, Bartos said: "I'm delighted we achieved a rare symbolic piece of cross party unity."

"Glasgow's councillors have decided as we welcome people of the Commonwealth to our home, we will raise a rainbow flag above our city's heart; a flag not representing any one nation, but rather representing every one in every nation who seeks an end to discrimination."

Athletes, spectators and visitors in Glasgow will also have access to a Pride House which will be open for the duration of the Games ©AFP/Getty Images



The Scottish Government has previously announced it is providing almost £25,000 ($42,000/€30,000) of funding to support a Pride House that will be opened for the duration of the Glasgow 2014 Games, which run from July 23 to August 3.

Located in Albion Street in Glasgow's Merchant City, the House, led by LEAP Sports Scotland, will welcome LGBT athletes, fans and visitors throughout the Games, and will provide a place to view the competitions, and enjoy the events and cultural programmes planned around the competition.

However, the Scottish Government and Games organisers have come in for criticism in recent months after it emerged Ugandan politicians are being allowed to attend the event this summer despite the country passing laws in December banning homosexuality in the country.

The move has led to Scottish cyclist Graham Obree starting a petition, entitled "No Hate at the Games", calling for a ban on Ugandan politicians attending Glasgow 2014.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
March 2014: Exclusive: Ugandan officials still welcome at Glasgow 2014 despite country passing anti-gay law
February 2014: Glasgow 2014 welcomes LGBT community with announcement of Pride House
December 2013: Marc Naimark: Time for Commonwealth to stand up to homophobic members if Glasgow 2014 to mean anything
December 2013: New Ugandan law highlights extent of Commonwealth anti-gay rights persecution ahead of Glasgow 2014