Council initiative: annual Pride flag flying in Kirkko­nummi

The Green Council Group and Lauri Lavanti, 16 June 2025

Flying the Pride flag costs the municipality very little — but for rainbow youth and other minorities it is concrete proof that Kirkkonummi stands behind the equality it promises in its strategy. In Finland, the activities of municipalities are guided by the Local Government Act, which obliges municipalities to promote the wellbeing of their residents and to organise services in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner. In Kirkkonummi, this work is guided by the Local Government Act as well as the municipal strategy, whose objectives include, among other things, promoting equality and equal treatment.

Why does Pride flag flying fit Kirkkonummi’s strategy?

Rainbow youth report in the school health survey significantly more loneliness, depression and discrimination than their peers. According to its municipal strategy, Kirkkonummi is a safe and youth-friendly municipality. The municipality now has an opportunity to demonstrate that these goals are being realised in concrete actions. Approving Pride flag flying would be a clear message that Kirkkonummi is committed to promoting equality and combating discrimination. It would also strengthen the sense of community that the municipality aims for in its strategy.

Pride flag flying is already in use in many cities and municipalities throughout Finland. For example, Finland’s most attractive city, Tampere, flies flags during Manse Pride week, and our neighbouring city Espoo is a partner of Helsinki Pride. Behind Pride is a broad network of local and national actors. For example, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities have been Pride partners.

What does the initiative propose?

We, the undersigned councillors, propose that Kirkkonummi municipality adopts annual Pride flag flying in the colours of the rainbow flag. The flag flying would take place on the municipality’s flagpoles during the national Pride week. Pride flag flying is a small and low-cost gesture for the municipality, but its symbolic significance for minority residents and their loved ones is enormous.

The Green Council Group

I have written more about equality: about everyone’s right to be proud of their existence and about how the vote finally went. Read more in my posts on equality.

Also published in: Kirkkonummi Greens, 17 June 2025.