A DECISION on whether to fly a rainbow flag in support of an Adelaide festival has divided District Council of Loxton Waikerie councillors.
The Feast Festival is an annual celebration that supports and commemorates the LGBTQIA+ community throughout the month of November.
Organisers of the festival invited all SA councils, including the District Council of Loxton Waikerie, to join in the month-long celebration and fly the rainbow flag to coincide with this year’s festivities.
However, in a six against four vote, the council rejected the offer in last month’s meeting.
Loxton marriage celebrant Kimberlee Murdoch, who officiated the first same sex ceremony in the Riverland, said the Loxton Waikerie council’s decision is disappointing, but unsurprising.
“Flying a flag is not difficult,” she said.
“It’s not going to hurt anyone.”
Ms Murdoch said the council’s decision shows a lack of support for the LGBTQIA+ community and a reluctance to embrace diversity.
However, she said there are many other minority groups in the Riverland who could also be celebrated but have not been.
“We have wonderful Muslim people, Sikh people, Indigenous people, (and) Torres Strait people – lots of cultures that could be celebrated but aren’t.
“I feel equally for all the minority groups.”
Meanwhile, Renmark Paringa Council chief executive officer Tony Siviour said existing policy meant council was unable to fly a rainbow flag.
“We received a letter earlier this year, however our flag flying policy outlines that we only fly the national flag and council flag, with the council flag being replaced with the Aboriginal Flag during NAIDOC celebrations,” Mr Siviour said.
Berri Barmera councillors are set to vote on whether they support flag at their general meeting later this month.
Ms Murdoch would like to invite any interested parties to join the newly formed LGBTQIA+ Riverland support group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/385451938903533/).
District Council of Loxton Waikerie CEO David Beaton declined to comment further.

Councillors who voted in the affirmative:
- Cr Sonya Altschwager
- C