Bath & North East Somerset Council is joining communities across the country in celebrating Pride month. During June the progress flag will be flown above the Guildhall, the libraries team will focus on reading with a pride theme and the equalities team are running a special design a LGBTQ+ logo competition.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children, Young People, Communities and Culture said: “We are proud to recognise and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Gay rights have come a long way since the Stonewall riots which took place in June 1969. More than fifty years on, it’s important we not only mark the anniversary of the protests that changed the lives of many across the world but continue to promote tolerance and equality.

“By flying the Rainbow flag we show our commitment to B&NES being an inclusive place for all, while at the same time recognising there is still more work to do so that everyone can be accepted for who they are.”

Throughout the month the Council’s Libraries Service will be highlighting some of the pioneers of the pride movement such as American transgender civil rights activists, Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. The service will also give reader recommendations for titles on eBook, eAudio

book, eComic and eMagazine providers BorrowBox, Cloud Library and Libby. All titles are free to borrow with your library card. To find out how to access these services visit: www.librarieswest.org.uk.

The Council is also running a competition for young people to design a logo that will be used to promote LGBTQ+ History Month 2022, and LGBTQ+ related news and events in the B&NES area. The logo should promote the message of LGBTQ+ and equality. Visit the Council website or email: [email protected].

The competition closes on Wednesday, 30th June.