Rainbow steps at Shire Hall to celebrate Pride month

Gloucestershire County Council is supporting Pride this month by decorating the front steps of Shire Hall in rainbow colours.

Every year, LGBT+ people and their allies celebrate Pride month in June. June marks the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in the USA which played a key role in starting the LGBT+ rights movement.

The county council is proud to support Pride and demonstrate our commitment to all LGBT+ people in the county. Prism, the council’s LGBT+ staff network, is organising events and activities.

Prism actively supports staff who identify as part of the LGBT+ community and work to promote equal opportunity and help eliminate discrimination inside and outside of the workplace.

As well as flying the Progress Pride flag above Shire Hall, which represents other marginalised groups, rainbow colours are now displayed on the front steps leading to the main entrance of Shire Hall in Westgate Street.

Members of Prism and their allies were joined on the front steps by council leader Cllr Mark Hawthorne, the council’s chief executive Pete Bungard and other senior leaders to show their support for Pride month.

Pete Bungard, chief executive of the county council, said: “As an organisation we are committed to equality and diversity and the rainbow steps are a visible symbol of our support for Pride month. This is one small part of a programme of work to support our lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans colleagues, all members of the LGBT+ community and their allies.”

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “As the rainbow is a powerful symbol of pride and support for the LGBT+ community, we are delighted to show our support for Pride month by displaying the front steps of Shire Hall in rainbow colours. We hope residents enjoy seeing it and support us in celebrating diversity and unity.”

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk