Showing our civic pride
No major event from celebrations to protests can take place effectively, safely and peacefully without cooperation from local government and local police. Pride is both a protest and a celebration and local public services and Pride organisers need to work hand in hand to bring off both the event and the event’s aims. In this bundle, we share our recent LGIU content on Pride and local government and how councils around the world are taking part, from celebration, preparation, profound sadness and commiseration, and finally continuation of the work to promote equality in the places where we live.
As Pride month wraps up, we wanted to share a few highlights of how local governments around the world are showing pride and inclusion. It’s important, too to remember that while Pride month is about both celebration and a continuing fight for equality, that the work goes on throughout the year both in terms of ensuring that local governments are providing appropriate and inclusive services and that it’s a welcoming place to work and represent local people.
Global Local Pride
Find out how local governments around the world are celebrating Pride. Global Local’s Pride edition features not just the month of pride, but how councils are working to deliver inclusivity.
Inclusion all year in Manchester
Permanent visibility equals permanent acceptance: an interview with with Mayor of Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Adviser Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL Read it here.
International best practice in relationship building
Our interview with Steve Taylor, General Secretary of Copenhagen Pride on how councils and Pride organisers can work together effectively.
Celebrate
Local governments around the world are showing their Pride and celebrating inclusion. We found some great examples of civic pride.
Today we raised the Pride flag outside Redbridge Town Hall marking the start of #PrideMonth
We’re proud of our diversity, our community spirit and our committment to equality for all. In Redbridge we believe LGBTQ+ rights are human rights #loveislove pic.twitter.com/dPic6exR7f
— Jas Athwal (@Jas_Athwal) June 1, 2022
We’re excited to unveil this amazing piece of street art – our new Progress Pride Flag!
The flag is on the forecourt of the Bendigo Town Hall, at the top of Bull Street. We think it looks fab!
Photo – Nacho Station pic.twitter.com/SDWFiQarxm
— CityofGreaterBendigo (@GreaterBendigo) February 20, 2022
OK, this one is a little outside Pride month, but we love their town hall and their pride.
Celebrate pride at City Hall this Saturday from 6-8 pm. Pasadena will be hosting its Love, Loud, and Proud event with food trucks, activities, live music, LGBTQIA resources, and … #visitpasadena #pasadenaca #pasadenaca #lgbtq #happypride #pridemonth #wlw #mlm #protecttranslives pic.twitter.com/LRBG9X70TR
— Visit Pasadena (@VisitPasadena) June 23, 2022
Paris city hall all decked out for Pride 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/LuSVh3qs1e
— Sebastien (@SebsInChelsea) June 20, 2022
In honor of Pride month at City Hall, we encouraged visitors to express their love and support of our LGBTQIA+ community by sharing stories of strength, love, and empowerment.
We’re looking forward to having more moments like these in the future. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hCgr3iyFKe
Iowa City Pride is today, Saturday June 18, 2022! The parade starts at noon, and the festival runs until 10 p.m. in Downtown. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get free Pride signs year-round! Stop by City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to get yours! pic.twitter.com/zfx0aZFSgV
— City of Iowa City (@CityOfIowaCity) June 18, 2022
Pride Hub is open! Find us @TheVestibules space in City Hall (Park Street Entrance). Come along this week to grab a programme and find out what’s on over the next 2 weeks for #bristolpride. We also have Pride flags available to buy for £5
Open 12-6 weekdays only. pic.twitter.com/EvS3WCvKBN
— Bristol Pride (@BristolPride) June 27, 2022
— St. Petersburg, FL (@StPeteFL) June 24, 2022
The fight goes on
Local government as leader of community has a massive role to play in making sure that all residents feel safe and welcome. Pride is about the fight for equality, dignity and sometimes basic safety. As we saw in a deadly shooting in Oslo, Norway the LGBTQ+ community are still targeted for hate and violence. In some places in the world, Pride events are banned or discouraged, or homosexuality itself may be outlawed. Florida, USA has passed anti-LGBTQ+ state-level policies in recent months, but local communities are still showing their Pride.
🏳️🌈“Local and regional authorities are best placed to understand why there is anti-LGBTI sentiment in our towns and propose solutions” says @AndrewBoff at meeting of the @PACE_News Platform for the rights of #LGBTI people in Europe
Read more : https://t.co/5iaZB5vmv3 pic.twitter.com/pkZGNzRBsl— Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (@COECongress) June 22, 2022
I love seeing the Progress Pride flag flying outside of City Hall this month. Our community remains committed to ensuring that Orlando is an inclusive, welcoming place for LGBTQ+ residents and every person who calls our city home. pic.twitter.com/2FLQSdPl13
— Mayor Buddy Dyer (@orlandomayor) June 28, 2022
Oslo, 3 days after a terrorist attack outside a gay bar, during Oslo Pride. We were told to stay at home. We didn’t. pic.twitter.com/IoPQctpdf9
— Astri Elise L’Estrange 🌻🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 (@astrilestrange) June 27, 2022
While we can understand why local and national officials were keen to avoid further risk, we also understand the sadness, anger and persistence of these demonstrators.
After a vandal tore down the City of Delta’s Progress Pride flagpole in front of City Hall yesterday, @CityofDeltaFire Tower 1 joined @CityofDeltaBC staff and Mayor Harvie to get the flag flying once again.
Hate has no place in our community and I will not tolerate it. pic.twitter.com/DjK12UpmMc
— Delta Firefighters IAFF L-1763 (@DFF1763) June 24, 2022
Less expected places?
It can sometimes feel like Pride is a big city thing, but more and more small and medium sized towns and cities are demonstrating inclusion and support for all. And for some the for the first time ever.
🏳️🌈 Some really important messages from Cllr Mark Connolly-Dowson of Dickens Heath Parish Council, for us to reflect on. We, as the local (parish and town) council sector, must be visible allies and help create communities that represent residents. pic.twitter.com/2B6EAFukZu
— NALC (@NALC) June 30, 2022
To those who braved the rain to help us raise the Pride Flag at City Hall this evening, thank you! pic.twitter.com/TXKb8tj69h
— City of Pawtucket RI (@CityofPawtucket) June 28, 2022
Lately it feels like hope is slipping away.
But we just celebrated #Pride in the small conservative town of Taylor, Texas.
Hope is a stubborn thing. pic.twitter.com/RYVH6lUdRT
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) June 30, 2022
This Saturday 2nd July is the 41st anniversary of Huddersfield Pride! 🌈
Back in 1981 Huddersfield was the UK’s first national Pride event outside London. To celebrate this, tomorrow there will be another march. pic.twitter.com/xxp4iVEMFU
— Kirklees Council (@KirkleesCouncil) July 1, 2022
A large group of Livonia residents cheered and shed tears when city leaders flew the LGBTQ+ Pride flag outside city hall for the first time. https://t.co/zT3y4avHiH
— Hometownlife (@Hometownlife) June 27, 2022
Post-Pride?
Even when the parades and protests are over, it’s not over. Many big city Prides begin organising well over a year in advance. More importantly working to achieve inclusive organisations and thriving, welcoming communities isn’t just about a day or a month.
👏 Put your hands together for our @veoliauk street-cleansing team, cleaning up after #Pride 🌈
A staggering 180 tonnes of waste was swiftly dealt with 🧹 after more than 1 million people celebrated @PrideInLondon, Westminster’s biggest event this year 😮
We appreciate you 💚🤩 pic.twitter.com/wkIWQVqZEb
— Westminster City Council (@CityWestminster) July 4, 2022
Stratford, ON City Hall Pride flag, taken at 8am, June 30, the last day of Pride Month for 2022. See you next year, old friend.
But the Stratford Pride Community Centre is here year ’round. Check out our calendar for the Canada Day weekend, and beyondhttps://t.co/ZZ2Y2khx7x pic.twitter.com/SkgN8UOqm9— StratfordPride (@stratford_pride) June 30, 2022
#Pride is never over at City Hall because LGBTQ+ New Yorkers work hard every day to make NYC welcoming and supportive for everyone who lives here. pic.twitter.com/XJyHoELrDQ
— City of New York (@nycgov) July 2, 2022