During the Coalition for Biological Reality Forum ‘Gender Identity in Law’ at Hobart Town Hall on 26 February 2022, transgender flags were flown.
Numerous questions were asked of Lord Mayor and CEO on council meetings as to whom authorised the flying of the transgender flags. The Lord Mayor and CEO did not provided full and honest answers to these questions.
A Right to Information request was submitted to HCC seeking all documents in relation to the matter.
Documents obtained under right to information included three Statutory declarations from Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, CEO Kelly Grigsby and events manager Sarah Carlson, additionally, copies of correspondence within council and transgender lobby group Working It Out.
Lord Mayor writes an Statutory declaration denying she had anything to do with organising the transgender flags to be flown.
Right to Information documents were received which shows an email from Working It Out to HCC proved that Lord Mayor had contacted Working It Out and suggested they write to the Council asking for flags to be flown, proving inconsistencies with Lord Mayor Statutory Declaration.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynold’s Statutory Declaration 17-8-22 tells a different story to email from Working It Out to HCC which states that Anna Reynolds suggested to WIO they apply to Hobart City Council to fly the trans flags only on the day of the Coalition for Biological Reality forum at Town Hall:
Anna Reynolds Statutory Declaration – some extracts:
Page 5 18c
(c) I have been transparent and hornets at all times regarding the flying of the transgender flags (part2,3)
(d) I did not order, instruct or improperly influence using my office, Mr Synott or any other Council employee in relation to the event.
(h) I did not access Council information regarding the decision to fly the flags. I was not involved in or consulted in this decision.
(i) I was not involved in the decision to fly the flag; there is no basis to allege that I treated anyone unfairly, caused offence or embarrassment, or bullied or harassed any person. )Part 7 (a-c)
(k) My personal views have not been expressed in relation to this matter.
Working It Out emailed Hobart CIty Council on 24 February:
“I’m writing with a request that comes at the suggestion of the Lord Mayor (via another Equality Tasmania Board member) … that the Lord Mayor suggested we (Equality Tasmania on behalf of the trans community) should arrange /request for the trans flag banners be flown over the Town Hall on the day of the Forum – this Saturday, February 26.
“Is there any chance of that happening at such late notice?”
Statutory Declaration from Kelly Grigsby
RTI about transgender flag to be flown
Statutory declaration Anna Reynolds
Below is a statutory declaration from Ms Sarah Carson, Hallkeeping Services Coordinator at the Hobart Town Hall about flying of transgender flags.