Oldebroek mayor to attend church flag-raising after council scraps LGBTQ policy

The municipality of Oldebroek has officially ended its LGBTQ policy and will no longer fly the rainbow flag at its town hall, following a decision by its conservative coalition government. The flag will instead be raised at a local church, with the mayor attending. The Christian-conservative coalition, comprising the Christian Union Oldebroek, SGP, and General Interest Oldebroek, had already stated this intention in its July coalition agreement. Mayor Tanja Haseloop-Amsing said she will attend the church ceremony, emphasizing her independent role in ensuring community cohesion despite the council's decision to proceed "without woke expressions." The church event on Saturday, ahead of Coming Out Day on Sunday, includes a flag-raising by the pastor and attendance by State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen. Resident Kjeld Mooi, who protested the policy change in July, has distributed over 250 rainbow flags to households for display.