Southend’s Mayor has raised the progress flag today at Porters Civic House and the Civic Centre to mark the start of Southend Pride week.
The Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Cllr Margaret Borton, hoisted the flag at an invite-only event at Porters Civic House at 10am. The event then moved to the Civic Centre, where the progress flag was raised publicly at 1pm.
Cllr Margaret Borton, Mayor of Southend, said: “Today we mark the start of Southend Pride week, and we are proud to support our LGBTQ+ community with the raising of the Progressive Flag above Porter’s House, and The Civic Centre.
“The flag demonstrates the diversity and inclusion of all and is a visible reminder of the fight for equality which continues today and into the future. Inclusion and equality, celebrating diversity, and community cohesion are at the core of Southend Pride, and are values Southend Council is, and always will be, proud to support.
“Even though Southend Pride itself is cancelled due to government restrictions, the team are planning some smaller events throughout the summer. These will be announced via their social media platforms, so please keep watching those spaces.
“As we move forward, I am confident in the strength and resilience of the community and eagerly await the next chapter in the Southend Pride story.”
Sam Adams, Southend Pride chair, said: “It was devastating that due to Government restrictions we were unable to have our Pride events this year, so a huge thank you to the Mayor for hosting a team of us at Porter’s to see the Pride flag raised. A lot of people in the LGBTQ+ community have had to isolate during the pandemic, so this event has given us an opportunity to get out and be ourselves with others like ourselves, which is really important.
“The numbers of people and companies interested in our Pride events has gone up every year since we set up Southend Pride in 2018, as people learn about what we’re doing and what we’re about. It’s a very inclusive event, with people as young as two weeks through to 93 years-old and everyone in-between from all professions, all backgrounds and we think next year will be the best yet. There is a real appetite for community cohesion, something which Pride is all about – we want everyone to come along, be themselves and celebrate.”
To find out more about Southend Pride week, visit the Southend Pride website. You can follow Southend Pride on Facebook at @SouthendonSeaPride or on Twitter at @Southend_Pride.