Trans flag flown from Lisbon City Hall

For those that did not recognise it, the pink and blue striped flag flown from the balcony of Lisbon city Hall yesterday was to commemorate the International Transgender Day of Visibility. According to reports, Mayor Carlos Moedas was against the idea, but his feelings were out-voted by the left-wing and independent members of the council. The initiative was proposed by Citizens for Lisbon, whose councillor Paula Marques considered the outcome “symbolic and important”. Mr Moedas’ reticence was over the venue, not trans rights. The town hall balcony is the place where Portugal’s republic was declared, he expained. “Defend trans rights? Absolutely, but (…) we can’t go on a course of continuing to put flags here in our chamber”.