The rainbow flag was deemed as “advertising material”

A petition launched today on the people power site Change.org asks to allow an elderly gay couple, who have been together 50 years, to fly their rainbow flag on their balcony.

Murray Sheldrick and James Bellia (78 and 72) have been threatened with legal action if they don’t remove the rainbow flag, deemed “advertising material” by Melbourne Inner City Management Property Owners Corporation.

The Corporation claims it breaches the “peaceful enjoyment” of other residents. Murray and James say they are “in no doubt” this is homophobia.

The couple moved to Port Melbourne in 2004 after a homophobic attack in their previous home, which left Murray (who now has Parkinson’s) in intensive care. They hoped it’d be more gay-friendly and safe.

The petition has been started by ‘Pauline Pantsdown’ – a drag queen activist based in Ipswich, Queensland.

Support Murray and James and sign the petition here     *At the time of writing, the petition has 3.5k signatures.