Flag Raised at West Lindsey District Council Offices to Mark Pride

LGBT+ Flag Raising 2019

West Lindsey District Council raised the rainbow flag for the first time outside its headquarters to celebrate LGBT+.

The LGBT+ flag has been raised outside the council’s offices, at Marshall’s Yard in Gainsborough, this morning (Monday 23 September).

The Chairman of the Council, Cllr Steve England, raised the flag at a short ceremony before representatives of the Council and members of the community. Cllr England commented:

“West Lindsey has a rich and diverse community and West Lindsey District Council is committed to making the district a place we can all be proud to live and work in.

“We are pleased to raise the flag in Gainsborough for the first time and it is just in time to commemorate the Pride Festival taking place in the neighbouring City of Lincoln next weekend.”

The rainbow flag will continue to fly proudly outside the Guildhall in Gainsborough until Monday 30 September.

Cllr Baptiste Velan, from Gainsborough Town Council, is also the founder of the Gainsborough LGBT Group, which was formed in May this year. He welcomed the support from the district council and said:

“This is great for West Lindsey and the town especially as it is the first time the flag has been raised. It is also great that it has been linked to the Lincoln Pride as it shows inclusion of all communities that live within the district and beyond.

“A lot of the LGBT community in Gainsborough and around are not confident in social situations and that may be caused by the lack of support/visibility. I am sure what we did today with the Chairman Steve England will help them to feel more confident and supported.”

Simon Hedison, a member of the LGBT group in Gainsborough was delighted to see the flag being raised in the town as it was something he approached the Council to consider. He said:

“I saw neighbouring Council raise the flag and I enquired if we could do the same in West Lindsey and I was so pleased that the Chairman of the Council was interested. Raising the flag is good for inclusion in the town and I am really pleased to see the flag flying.”