LGBT+ History Month
Posted on Wednesday 1st February 2023
Newport City Council will proudly fly the Progress flag outside the Civic Centre throughout February.
LGBT+ History Month is a month-long annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual trans, and non-binary history, including the history of LGBT+ rights and related civil rights movements.
It is celebrated every February in the UK, to coincide with the abolition of Section 28 in 2003.
Newport is an active member of the Proud Councils partnership, which brings together several local authorities in South Wales in a visible and unified way, to support and promote equality for LGBT+ communities.
The purpose of Proud Councils is to improve support offered to LGBT+ staff within local authorities in Wales and ensure that local government across Wales is a visible leader in the field of LGBT+ rights, actively championing LGBT+ inclusion in our communities.
Council leader Jane Mudd and Councillor Laura Lacey, the council’s LGBTQ+ champion, were joined by Dan Earnshaw, chair of the staff Pride network and vice-chair Emily Curry as well as Adam Smith, of Pride in the Port, for the raising of the flag.
Councillor Mudd said: “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the abolition of section 28 and although that marked a watershed, there is still work needed to make a more equal and inclusive society for everyone. LGBT+ History Month is an opportunity to celebrate what has been done and focus on an even better future.”
Councillor Lacey added: " As a council, we value our Pride staff network and want all our staff to feel safe and respected and we also value our Pride communities as we want Newport to be an inclusive and welcoming city.”