THURROCK Council flew the Progress flag at the Civic Offices today (Monday, 28 June) to celebrate Pride Day.

Borough mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick and Cllr Deborah Huelin, cabinet member for adults and communities, joined the chair and vice chair of the Thurrock Council Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer + (LGBTQ+) Staff Network for a special ceremony.

This year saw the council fly the Progress flag for the first time, which incorporates black and brown stripes to represent Black, Asian and ethnic minority LGBTQ+ communities, and pink, light blue and white which are present on the Transgender Pride flag that is raised at the Civic Offices each November for Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Cllr Shinnick said at the event: "I am very honoured to be here today as we raise the Progress flag in Thurrock to celebrate Pride Day this year. June is Pride month and today we are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and their history and achievements. At its heart, Pride aims to inspire people to embrace equality and come together to celebrate diversity."

Cllr Huelin added: "As we come together I want us all to think about the history that comes with marking days such as today. While this day is about celebrating LGBTQ+ life, it is also about remembering and paying tribute to those who were injured and arrested as part of the Stonewall Riots in New York, on 28 June 1969.

"This led directly to the founding of the UK Gay Liberation Front which fought for the rights of LGBTQ+ people and organised the very first Pride march in 1972.

"Although we have some way to go still in ensuring equality for all, events such as this show our continued support for all LGBTQ+ people in our borough and the work we proudly do as a council."