Cheshire East to fly the flag for LGBT History Month

Cheshire East Council will fly the rainbow flag with pride for the whole of February to celebrate LGBT History Month.

The theme for LGBT History Month this year is ‘body, mind and spirit’, which is especially significant in the time of a global pandemic. The month-long celebrations take place every February and mark the contribution that LGBT+ people have made to society and their communities over the years.

The rainbow flag will fly from council offices at Westfields in Sandbach, the Municipal Building in Crewe and Macclesfield Town Hall.

Throughout February, the council will be delving into its archives to share facts and figures about prominent LGBT+ people from Cheshire’s rich history via its social media channels, as well as providing information on LGBT+ allies organisations.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for public health and corporate services, said: “I am very proud that we are flying the rainbow flag during February. As we’ve seen at the three Pride events we’ve held since our first event at Tatton Park in 2018, whether live or virtually, we have a vibrant and proud LGBT+ allies community in Cheshire East, which we are looking forward to being even more engaged with in the future.”

Councillor Marilyn Houston, Cheshire East Council member equality champion, said: “The council has made great progress in supporting those of us in our LGBT+ community in recent years.

"Pride, or Virtual Pride as it was last year, has been a big part of that but the support has grown to be so much more than that now.

“I am especially proud of the work of our LGBT+ and allies staff group Vibrance, which encourages members of the LGBT+ community to discuss any concerns that they have – whether they are in their normal everyday lives or in the workplace – and we are still building our network of allies. Celebrating LGBT History Month can only help to grow that support even further.”

This year’s Pride celebrations will once again be held virtually, and we will share details of how you can be involved nearer the time. Last year’s event and content provided by acts and other supporters can be found on the council’s Pride YouTube channel.