Council shows support for LGBTQ+ communities during Pride Month

To mark the occasion, the council is flying the Progress Pride Flag from the Symington Building flagpole from 1-16 June, as it did on 17 May for IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia).

The lights on The Square and The Symington Building in Market Harborough will also be changed to multicoloured for the month of June.

Over 70 local retailers will show their support for Pride Month too by displaying rainbow Progress Pride Flags on many of the shops and premises in the centre of Market Harborough.

Cllr Geraldine Whitmore, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Culture, Leisure, Economy and Tourism, said: “We are delighted local businesses are joining us to support LGBTQ+ communities. Together our aim is to raise awareness of this important month and continue to progress the attitudes of society and encourage inclusiveness.”

Pride Month in June is dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and ace) communities all around the world.

Pride originated in the United States, in 1969, when the Stonewall riots took place in June of that year (the Stonewall riots being protests that changed gay rights for a lot of people in America and around the world).

As well as being a month to celebrate progress in LGBTQ+ rights, Pride is also an opportunity to promote the need for further education and awareness of issues that still affect people within the LGBTQ+ communities, including discrimination and homophobia.

For more information about equality and diversity at Harborough District Council visit www.harborough.gov.uk/equality