Flying the flag for equality
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
21/02/2006
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) history month continues on February 24 with a special event at Hammersmith Town Hall.
The day will be an opportunity for LGBT people who live or work in the borough, to find out what services are available locally, as well as being able to speak to staff from the council and Housing Management Services (HMS) about how services can be improved.
More than twenty stalls covering a range of organisations and issues from civil partnerships and Gay Men's Project to the Metropolitan Police and the Domestic Violence Forum will be on show in the council’s Assembly Hall between 12noon and 8.00pm.
Cllr Reg McLaughlin, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, says, “Hammersmith & Fulham is home to a large number of LGBT people and the cultural, social and economic contribution made by these residents has helped shape the borough into one of the most vibrant in the city. LGBT History Month provides a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes while paying tribute to the heritage of lesbian and gay communities right across the borough.”
Guest speakers include Ben Summerskill from Stonewall and Claire McNabb from Press for Change and entertainment will be provided by Gay Men's Chorus.
During February, as a symbol of its support for LGBT History Month Hammersmith & Fulham Council has being flying the rainbow flag on both Hammersmith and Fulham town halls.
Cllr McLaughlin continues, “Hammersmith & Fulham Council has been flying the flag for equality in more ways than one recently. We were at the forefront of promoting the new civil partnerships service which became law at the end of last year and wanted to keep that tangible support for the LGBT community going in a very public way this year. Flying the rainbow flag on the town halls and hosting this tremendous event shows how serious we are about making sure all parts of the diverse community of Hammersmith & Fulham are supported and listened to.”
The Council and Housing Management Services (HMS), who manage the borough’s council housing stock, are working together to host the LGBT History Month event on Friday 24 February from 12noon until 8.00pm.
