June is Pride month and we are sending a clear message of support to Hertsmere’s LGBTQ+ communities.
The Pride Progress flag was raised outside the Civic Offices in Borehamwood today (Monday 3 June) by the Mayor of Hertsmere, Councillor Richard Butler. He was joined by members of our staff, councillors and colleagues from the NHS, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Herts Fire and Rescue Service, Communities 1st Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) Rainbow Network and representatives from Herts Pride.
Pride Progress is an updated version of the rainbow Pride flag, which better represents diverse communities. Pride flags are also being raised in Aberford Park in Borehamwood, Parkfield in Potters Bar, and King George Recreation Ground in Bushey.
Mayor Cllr Richard Butler said: “We are proud to be celebrating our richly diverse borough and workforce, and more widely, to be standing in support with the still-relevant fight for civil rights within the LGBTQ+ community across the world.
“Pride month is about acceptance, equality, celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people and education in LGBTQ+ history, providing an opportunity to celebrate how far society has come. But it is also about raising awareness of issues still affecting LGBTQ+ communities.”
We are sponsoring Herts Pride in August and will have a stall in the wellbeing tent to speak to residents and LGBTQ+ members of the community about its services.
Tyson Martin, Chair of Herts Pride and Clive Duffey Head of Operations for Herts Pride were in attendance today and said: “We noticed our LGBTQ+ community in Hertfordshire had nowhere to go and celebrate, so Herts pride was born and developed. It has grown into one of the largest, small capacity pride events, capped at 5,000 people.
“We hope you wear the rainbow merchandise as an ally as our allies are very important to us. We also hope you'd step in if you saw anything that wasn’t appropriate to the LGBTQ+ community. We hope to see you all at Herts Pride in August.”
Throughout the year council staff are invited to wear their Hertsmere rainbow lanyards. These were purchased from The Pride Shop, where donations from sales support The Pride Fund – raising funds for Pride events across the UK. This year there are also Pride Progress stickers for staff to wear to display support to the LGBTQ+ community.
We're offering community grants to voluntary organisations and community groups that celebrate our diverse communities and promote inclusion across the borough. These groups could qualify for a funding boost of up to £2,500.
View a short video of the flag raising event: https://youtu.be/0u_DxsOf_IY
Posted on Monday 3rd June 2024