Somerset Council is flying the Progress Pride flag in a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community.

The flag was raised at a ceremony attended by staff and councillors at County Hall in Taunton ahead of the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots today (28 June).

The Stonewall Riots, also called the Stonewall Uprising, began in the early hours of June 28, 1969, in New York City and was the fundamental turning point for Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual rights across the world.

The anniversary falls during Pride Month where many organisations and individuals fly the “rainbow” flag – a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community with its colours representing the different communities within it.

During June Somerset Council has also changed the headers to our social media accounts and posted about the work that is happening in Somerset to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people.

We are extending our support of the Somerset LGBTQ+ Equality Network and promoting 2BU-Somerset who are working with and supporting young LGBTQ+ people in Somerset.

The Progress Pride flag will be flown again in the run up to the Taunton Pride and Burnham-on-Sea Pride events on 22 July.

Somerset Council will be at both events making a visible statement to everyone that we are an inclusive and accepting council, that celebrates diversity.