The iconic rainbow flag was raised on Wednesday, May 17, in support of equality and diversity. IDAHOBIT draws attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

The Progressive Pride flag encompasses not only lesbian, gay and bisexual people but also trans, people of colour, intersex people and others.

On Wednesday at 10.00 Rother District Council officers and councillors, and at 17.30 Hastings Borough council officers and councillors, were joined outside the town halls by Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance members to show their support.

Flying the flag is a very visible way for councils to show their continuing support for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia as well as demonstrating their respect for the LGBT community and their commitment to equality.

As well as celebrating diversity in Hastings and Rother, flying the Progressive Pride flag sends out a clear message that all forms of discrimination are unacceptable to Hastings Borough Council and Rother District Council. Unfortunately hate crime and violence remain prevalent.

To find out more about local support available, visit the Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance website at hrra.org.uk.

Mary Benton, Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance Secretary said “Rainbow Alliance were very pleased to join with Rother and Hastings Councils to promote IDAHOBIT. Stonewall, the UK national campaigner for LGBT rights, has just published the following statistics from their research – 16% of LGB people have experienced a hate crime or incident due to their sexual orientation in the last year and 41% of trans people due to their gender identity. Hate crime has risen by 78% in past four years. 81% of LGBT people who experienced a hate crime or incident didn’t report it to the police.”

• For details of Rainbow Alliance’s work with the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities see their website www.hrra.org.uk or email info@hrra.co.uk or phone 07593 444677

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