Council raises Progress Flag in support of LGBT+ History Month

Harborough District Council acknowledges that LGBT+ people continue to experience barriers in everyday life and is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and prejudice.

Therefore, the Council is proud to fly the Progress Flag from 1-6 February in support of LGBT+ communities.

Cllr Paul Dann, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Equalities and Diversity, said: “Over the course of the next few days, we’re proud to fly the Progress Flag from our rooftop in support of LGBT+ History Month. We are committed to creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for everyone, and want to promote understanding and acceptance for all.

LGBT+ History Month is heralded in February each year. It aims to promote equality and diversity whilst celebrating the lives and achievements of LGBT+ people. Although significant progress regarding equality, acceptance, and recognition of LGBT+ communities has been made over recent years, challenges remain, including continued levels of targeted hate crime and low levels of reporting. 

Stonewall’s 2018 LGBT in Britain: Home and Communities and Work Reports statistics showed that:

• Only half of LGBT people feel able to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity to everyone in their family
• Almost one in five LGBT people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives
• Only 39% of LGBT people of faith think their faith community is welcoming of lesbian, gay and bi people and 25% think their faith community is welcoming of trans people
• Almost one in five LGBT staff have been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues in the last year because they are LGBT
• 10% of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic LGBT staff and 3% of White LGBT staff have been physically attacked by customers or colleagues in the last year because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity
• More than a third of LGBT staff have hidden or disguised that they are LGBT at work in the last year because they were afraid of discrimination
• One in eight lesbian, gay, and bi people would not feel confident reporting any homophobic or biphobic bullying to their employer. One in five trans people would not report transphobic bullying in the workplace

Cllr Amanda Nunn, Harborough District Council’s Equalities Champion, said: “No one should experience prejudice or hate for who they are, and we all have a role to play in challenging and ending discrimination homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in our communities.”

For more information on marking LGBT+ History Month visit https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/

And, for details about LGBT+ local events or support groups visit DMU Pride and leicesterlgbtcentre