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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.

Photo by Stavrialena Gontzou on Unsplash

 

OK, this one is a little outside Pride month, but we love their town hall and their pride.

 

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.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

 


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.

 

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.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

 

 

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.

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay