News
A rainbow flag - the international symbol of the gay community - is to be hoisted above some of Norfolk's most visited buildings in February.
The flag will fly at such places as City Hall, County Hall and Norwich Castle for Norfolk's first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual History Month.
A programme of events including club and comedy nights, workshops and talks will be staged each day in February.
It's hoped the festival will give more understanding of the gay community.
While it's the first time that the county has hosted its own LGBT History Month, the festival has run nationally since 2005 after the idea was adopted from America.
Organisers have filled the event's diary quickly, considering they only had their first meeting at the start of December 2009.
"We had an empty calendar at the first meeting and we set ourselves the task of filling it," said Michelle Savage, who has co-ordinated the festival's steering group and is chair of Norwich Pride 2010.
Highlights include comedy with Clare Summerskill at The Garage, Norwich, a workshop on gay representation in the local press at the city's Castle pub and the chance to talk to people from the Living Library project at the Tea Lounge, Norwich.
"We're very proud that so many groups have come forward to do their thing," said Michelle.
"We're especially proud that there's something for people of all ages and abilities."
North Norfolk News, 29 January 2010
by VICTORIA LEGGETT
A rainbow flag will be flown across north Norfolk this month to celebrate the area's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
The annual LGBT History Month will be launched at 10am on Monday as North Norfolk District Council joins authorities across the country raising the multi-coloured flag at its Cromer office.
Throughout the February, events will be held across Norfolk to mark and celebrate the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
On February 23, north Norfolk will host a Pride Poetry and Supper evening at Virginia Court, Cromer.
Members of the Norwich Pride Collection will talk about their experiences organising Norfolk's first Pride celebrations, which took place last year, and North Norfolk Pride 2010.
On Thursday Voluntary Norfolk will also host an event as part of the celebrations with an Only Gay in the Village workshop in Neatishead.
Organisations including the police, Age Concern and The Matthew Project will get together from 9am to 1pm to discuss the LGBT community in rural areas and how they can better meet and understand their needs.
In Norfolk, homophobic harassment and abuse represents a high proportion of all hate incidents and crime reported to police.
Steve Blatch, strategic director of NNDC, said LGBT History Month was about replacing ignorance and discrimination with knowledge and understanding.
He said: “The council is committed to promoting equality and in working with partners and local communities to make north Norfolk a safe and inclusive place where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves without fear of prejudice.”
To book a place at the Pride Poetry and Supper evening, call 01263 512398. Tickets are £5.
To find out more about Voluntary Norfolk's workshop, call Jonny Wood on 01263 516018 or email north@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk.
For a full programme for LGBT History Month, visit www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk.
The Chairman of Norfolk County Council will be raising a rainbow flag at County Hall next week, to mark the start of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month 2010 in Norfolk.
The raising of the flag will also launch the Council's new LGBT staff group, a partnership project with the Norfolk & Waveney Mental Health Trust.
The rainbow flag is an international symbol of LGBT pride.
Councillor Shelagh Gurney, Chairman of Norfolk County Council, “Delivering excellent services in Norfolk means that every resident can be sure they will be treated fairly and with respect at all times. Recognising the contributions of our communities through education and history is important”.
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 LGBT. Many Norfolk residents and volunteers have worked hard to organise a range of free events in Norfolk. For more details, please visit: www.norwichpride.org.uk
For further information
Jemma Thake, Communications officer, 01603 222972 or jemma.thake@norfolk.gov.uk
