Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Caroline Smith has proudly raised the rainbow flag to celebrate Pride. The flag was raised on Wednesday 6 July at the council’s Shute End office. The annual event celebrates equality and diversity within communities across the country including Wokingham Borough.
2022 is a significant year for the Pride movement and the LGBTQ+ community as it marks 50 years since the first Pride in London parade took place.
The flag raising event was also attended by leader of the council Cllr Clive Jones, the council’s new executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, Cllr Rachel Burgess, Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey, Cllr Rachel Burgess and Cllr Mike Smith.
Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Caroline Smith said: “The rainbow flag is a celebration of identity, community and togetherness, and I am proud to raise the flag to show the council’s support of this significant movement. We recognise, support and celebrate the diversity of residents living and working in Wokingham Borough and together we look forward to a bright and colourful future where diversity and inclusion is the foundation.”
The council’s new executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty, Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth said: “Pride celebrates the progress which we have made as a society in the last 50 years as we have moved towards greater equality for LGBTQ+ people. It is also a time to acknowledge that much more needs to be done to better safeguard the rights of many in this community, and to consider what we can do to achieve that here in Wokingham Borough.
“Many of our Borough libraries, schools and churches will be using the week leading up to Saturday 9 July to promote a greater understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and local businesses are showing their support by displaying rainbow flags. We would like to invite everyone who supports the aims of Pride to join us on 9 July at the Wokingham Pride Picnic on Elms Field to celebrate 50 years of Pride in the UK.”
Celebrate Pride by attending local events
On Saturday 9 July, Wokingham Borough residents and the wider community are invited to the Wokingham Pride Picnic in Elms Field, Wokingham. Now in its third year, the event is free to attend and starts with photos at the Wokingham Town Hall at 11.30am, followed by a family-friendly picnic from 12 noon at Elms Field. Residents are encouraged to bring a picnic rug, food, rainbow flags, their friends and family, plus invite other members of the community along for a fun-filled day.
From 8pm until 10.30pm, The Station Tap will be hosting a vibrant afterparty featuring an evening of drag cabaret by local artist SemiColon and performers Dulce Kraving and Tania LeCoq. The event is free to attend for people aged over 18 years old. SemiColon will also be running an eco-friendly glitter stall at the Pride Picnic. For more information, visit the Wokingham LGBTQ+ Pride Group on Facebook.
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