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The Norfolk LGBT community will be making history this February with a packed calendar of activities to celebrate LGBT History Month. A steering group of organisations led by Norwich Pride have organised over 40 events. This means that for the first time ever, Norfolk residents can wake up on any day in February and find something to do somewhere with an LGBT focus. The events are incredibly diverse - there's lectures, workshops and talks; football, volleyball and table tennis; tea parties, club nights and comedy.

The Steering Group includes representatives from local councils and unions, the university LGBT staff group and student group, the police, local churches, artists, and members of the LGBT community. Incredibly, the group only had their first meeting on Friday 4th December. The group is coordinated by local community filmmaker Michelle Savage (aka Shelly Telly) who is the Chair of Norwich Pride 2010. Shelly says:

"We had an empty calendar at the first meeting and we set ourselves the task of filling it. We're very proud that so many groups have come forward to do their thing. We're especially proud that there's something for people of all ages and abilities - for example, kids will love the Penguin Party at the Norwich Arts Centre and older people will adore the 35mm print of VICTIM at Cinema City."

At 10am on 1st February the rainbow flag will be raised in civic buildings across Norfolk including City Hall, County Hall, Fire Service Headquarters, the Castle Museum and NHS Norfolk.

You can get all the latest info on LGBT History Month in Norfolk on the Norwich Pride website www.norwichpride.org.uk and the national LGBT History Month website: www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk You can email us at history@norwichpride.org.uk or call the Norwich Pride hotline on 07772804759

Briefing note – flying the rainbow flag

Why is the council flying the rainbow flag?
In response to requests by residents, to mark the launch of LGBT History Month 2010 in Norfolk. The Rainbow flag is the international symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) pride.
What is LGBT History Month?
LGBT History Month is a national event which takes place every year in February. It celebrates the lives and achievements of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
Why is flying the rainbow flag considered important?
In Norfolk, homophobic harassment and abuse represents a high proportion of all hate incidents and crime reported to the police. The flying of the rainbow flag is a simple gesture of support to residents and tax payers of Norfolk who identify as LGBT. It is estimated that around 6 -7% of Norfolk residents are LGBT – roughly equivalent to the size of the county's Black and minority ethnic population.
Homophobic crime is a particular problem because victims often choose not to report it, either to avoid reprisals or because they don't feel it will make any difference. Public gestures of support such as flying the rainbow flag are very important because they demonstrate that organisations are not afraid to acknowledge the issue and are committed to promoting equality and tackling discrimination.
For further information please see the LGBT History Month website: www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk

Norwich Pride is organised by a collective of enthusiastic volunteers from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) community. Nick O'Brien, Chairperson said:

"The first Norwich Pride was a wonderful, inclusive celebration and we were so very proud of the thousands of Norwich citizens and their friends and families who came to show their support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) community. We'd like to thank all the organisations who put on events for Norwich Pride, including St John the Baptist Church on Timberhill who held a very moving Interfaith service. The police were excellent and worked closely with us to ensure that the day went as safely and smoothly as possible. The Parade, led by the Norwich Samba Band, moved peacefully and happily through the city. Saturday 25th July 2009 proved to us that Norwich really is a fine city where everyone can feel safe and proud to be themselves. We're looking forward to the next Norwich Pride on Saturday 31st July and once again we invite everyone to join in the celebrations. We're sorry to hear about Mrs Howe's complaint but feel that her comments show why Pride events are needed - to help fight prejudice and increase understanding."

"Let's turn Norwich into a Rainbow - that's the message from a group of enthusiastic volunteers who are organising the first Norwich Pride this summer. Pride is a celebration of local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) life and the Norwich Pride Collective want to make the weekend of 24-26 July a colourful highlight of the city's calendar.

The main events will be at the Forum on Saturday 25th July with stalls, lectures and films throughout the day including a multimedia presentation about Norwich Pride on FUSION, Europe's biggest free public screen. There's also a Pride Picnic at Chapelfield Gardens between 12-2pm with acoustic entertainment on the bandstand, African Drumming and Eqyptian Dancing and storytelling and games for the kids.

The Lord Mayor of Norwich Councillor Evelyn Collishaw will launch the Pride Parade at 2pm from Chapelfield Gardens. Norwich Samba Band will lead the walkers as they weave their way to the Forum where there will be speeches and entertainment on Millennium Plain.

There will be events all over the city throughout the weekend including a Pride Tea Party at the Tea Lounge, "Camp it Up Cabaret" at the Norwich Arts Centre, films at Cinema City, an interfaith service at St John the Baptist Church on Timberhill and parties at Cafe Marzanos, Take 5 Crypt, the Catherine Wheel, the Castle, the Compleat Angler and the Coach and Horses, Union St.

The central celebrations are free and inclusive - everyone is invited. Nick O'Brien, the Chair of the Norwich Pride Collective says:

"One of the key aims of Norwich Pride is to ensure that Norwich is a city where everyone feels safe and proud to be themselves. Come and join us - it's going to be a wonderful weekend."

For more information about Norwich Pride go to the website www.norwichpride.org.uk or join the mailing list at norwichpride@hotmail.co.uk. The Pride hotline number is: 07772804759. Norwich Pride is also on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS: for high res images of Norwich Pride please email shell@shellytelly.co.uk