Eloisa to continue participation in Pride communications after council vote in South Savo

The South Savo welfare region, Eloisa, will continue to participate in Pride-themed communications, following a vote by the regional council on Monday. Council Chairman Heikki Laukkanen stated that considerable time was dedicated to a thorough discussion regarding participation in Pride campaigns during the meeting.

“The majority decision is that we can continue to engage in Pride campaigns,” Laukkanen confirmed. This decision follows a debate in June over whether Eloisa could use Pride colors, specifically rainbow colors, for its communications during the national Pride week at the end of June. At that time, the council voted in favor by a margin of 9 to 4.

Pride is an international human rights event advocating for the rights of sexual and gender minorities, typically celebrated in June, with the rainbow flag as its emblem.

During the recent council meeting, the focus shifted from the previous June’s Pride to discussing Eloisa’s communication strategy. Within this context, the council voted on participation in Pride campaigns.

Jouni Koskela, backed by Janne Laine and Jaana Strandman, proposed that “Eloisa should not participate in Pride ideology,” but this proposal was rejected by a vote of 9 to 3. Koskela and Laine had also supported a counter-proposal in June. They are members of the council from Savonlinna, where Laine also serves as the city manager. Jaana Strandman is a member of the national parliament from Mikkeli.

Savonlinna has previously been embroiled in controversy over Pride issues. In 2022, the city decided not to fly the rainbow flag during the local Pride event, but civic activists proceeded to do so without permission. This led Savonlinna to file a police report, resulting in charges against three individuals for disrespecting the Finnish flag.