Speaker raises LGBT flag at Parliament to celebrate 50 years of Pride

Lindsay Hoyle stands with the doorkeepers to Parliament (Image: UK Parliament/Andy Bailey)

A rainbow flag was raised on the foremost entrance of Parliament right this moment to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Pleasure in London.

Speaker of the Home Sir Lindsay Hoyle invited folks to pose with the flag earlier than it was flown for the primary time in New Palace Yard.

Sir Lindsay mentioned it was ‘an essential second for the Commons to be out and proud with the LGBT flag – half a century after the primary London Pleasure march’.

He added: ‘I'm delighted to be an ally of Parliament’s vibrant LGBT+ group, which permits MPs and our workers to convey their complete selves to work with satisfaction.

‘Not solely is that this 12 months notably particular for the Homosexual Pleasure motion however having the ability to march with out Covid restrictions will make it an much more joyous occasion.

‘I do know a lot of our colleagues can be marching in London on the weekend, so I wished to indicate solidarity with them by elevating the enduring rainbow flag over Parliament.’

The 6ft x 12ft flag was flown in Parliament for the primary time in 2016 when it was raised from the highest of Portcullis Home for the complete London Pleasure weekend.

‘That is the very first time the rainbow flag has been flown from Parliament and we're delighted to mark the event on this means,’ a spokesperson mentioned on the time.

🏳️‍🌈 Feelin’ proud 🏳️‍🌈

Nice to hitch @CommonsSpeaker and colleagues from throughout Westminster forward of the Pleasure flag elevating within the grounds of Parliament.

It was an ideal alternative to come back collectively to recognise progress made and work nonetheless to be completed.

Collectively we are able to get there 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/5P0eqMOarl

— Elliot Colburn MP (@ElliotColburn) June 29, 2022

The rainbow flag was raised on the entrance to Parliament for the primary time (Image: UK Parliament/Andy Bailey)

The Speaker with ex-EastEnders actor and LGBT campaigner (Image: UK Parliament/Andy Bailey)

This weekend’s London Pleasure occasion celebrates 50 years for the reason that first parade passed off in 1972. (Image: UK Parliament/Andy Bailey)

Sir Lindsay stands with MPs exterior Parliament (Image: UK Parliament/Andy Bailey)

Sir Lindsay with Conservative former Scottish Secretary David Mundell, and Lord Cashman (Image: UK Parliament/Andy Bailey)

Sir Lindsay with members of Parli-Out – the LGBT group inside Parliament (Image: UK Parliament/Andy Bailey)

MPs and workers posed exterior with the rainbow flag (Image: UK Parliament/Andy Bailey)

One of many MPs to hitch Sir Lindsay in celebrating was Elliot Colburn, a Tory MP representing Carshalton and Wallington close to Croydon in south London.

Mr Colburn, who has campaigned in opposition to homophobic abuse after receiving a demise risk himself, tweeted that he was ‘feelin’ proud’.

He mentioned: ‘Nice to hitch @CommonsSpeaker and colleagues from throughout Westminster forward of the Pleasure flag elevating within the grounds of Parliament.

‘It was an ideal alternative to come back collectively to recognise progress made and work nonetheless to be completed. Collectively we are able to get there.’

This weekend’s London Pleasure occasion celebrates 50 years for the reason that first parade passed off in 1972.

The first official UK Homosexual Pleasure Rally was held in on July 1 1972, chosen to be the closest Saturday to the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in 1969.

Round 2,000 folks marched via London.

In 2019, the final London Pleasure earlier than Covid, greater than 1.5 million folks joined in.

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