WOKINGHAM Borough Council is celebrating Pride by flying the rainbow flag.
The flag was raised by borough mayor Cllr Caroline Smith on Wednesday, July 6, at the council’s Shute End offices.
The annual Pride event celebrates equality and diversity within communities across the country.
This year is significant for the Pride movement and the LGBTQ+ community as it marks 50 years since the first Pride in London parade took place.
Cllr Caroline Smith, Wokingham borough mayor, said: “The rainbow flag is a celebration of identity, community and togetherness, and I am proud to raise the flag to show the council’s support of this significant movement.
“We recognise, support and celebrate the diversity of residents living and working in Wokingham borough and together we look forward to a bright and colourful future where diversity and inclusion is the foundation.”
The flag raising ceremony was also attended by leader of the council Cllr Clive Jones, Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, Cllr Rachel Burgess, Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey, Cllr Rachel Burgess and Cllr Mike Smith.
Cllr Bishop-Firth, the council’s new executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty, said: ““Pride celebrates the progress which we have made as a society in the last 50 years as we have moved towards greater equality for LGBTQ+ people.
“It is also a time to acknowledge that much more needs to be done to better safeguard the rights of many in this community, and to consider what we can do to achieve that here in Wokingham borough.”
Events to celebrate Pride are taking place across Wokingham.
On Saturday, July 9, residents are invited to attend the Wokingham Pride Picnic in Elms Field.
The event is free to attend and starts with photos at the Wokingham Town Hall at 11.30am, followed by a family-friendly picnic from noon at Elms Field.
From 8pm until 10.30pm, The Station Tap will be hosting an afterparty featuring an evening of drag cabaret by SemiColon and performers Dulce Kraving and Tania LeCoq.
The event is free to attend for people aged over 18.
SemiColon will also be running an eco-friendly glitter stall at the Pride Picnic.
For more information, visit the Wokingham LGBTQ+ Pride Group on Facebook.
