LAURENCE Fox has sparked fury after burning LGBT+ bunting during Pride month.
The GB News presenter and Reclaim party leader is known for his divisive opinions, having been banned for a time on Twitter last year after he shared an image of Pride flags photoshopped into appearing like a swastika.
In a video posted to Twitter on Father's Day, Fox said the bunting "got the treatment it deserved," after pouring a flamable liquid over the decoration and setting it alight.
Fox is preparing to fight for ex-prime minister Boris Johnson's old seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.
My friend brought me some child mutilation bunting. It got the treatment it deserved. pic.twitter.com/hJmioHwo6h
— Laurence Fox (@LozzaFox) June 18, 2023
He continued: "This is what I think of your vile, disgusting, child sacrificial flag."
He proceeded to say "goodbye", adding: "Pride...which isn't pride. It's just a celebration of the mutilation of children. Shove it."
His actions have since been widely criticised by Twitter users, with some branding the actions “homophobic”.
He claimed in a follow-up Tweet, that the new Pride flag has "nothing to do with the original Pride flag which was to represent hard-fought-for gay and lesbian rights, which everybody would support."
What is the Progress Pride flag?
The Progress Pride flag is a modified version of the original Pride flag that was designed by artist Daniel Quasar in 2018. The flag was created as a symbol of inclusivity and progress within the LGBT+ community.
The original Pride flag, designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, featured a rainbow with colored strips. The rainbow was chosen as a symbol of hope, representing the diversity and unity of the LGBT+ community.
However, over time, it was recognised that the original Pride flag did not fully represent all members of the community, particularly those who belong to marginalised groups within the LGBT+ spectrum.
To address this, Daniel Quasar designed the Progress Pride flag to be more inclusive. The Progress Pride flag retains the rainbow design but adds additional elements to represent specific groups within the LGBT+ community.
The flag includes black and brown stripes to recognise people of color who are part of the LGBT+ community, as they often face unique challenges and experiences. It also features the colors pink, light blue, and white, which are the colors of the transgender flag, representing transgender and non-binary individuals.
The Progress Pride flag aims to acknowledge and celebrate the diverse identities and experiences within the LGBT+ community, emphasising the importance of inclusivity and progress.
It serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done in fighting for equal rights and acceptance for all members of the LGBT+ community.
