Lighthouse lit up to mark LGBT+ History Month

St Mary’s Lighthouse is being lit up in rainbow colours all this week.

LGBT+ History Month celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) people, their history, lives and their experiences in the wider community.

This year, North Tyneside Council has been flying its new Progress Pride Flag outside its council offices throughout February.

The flag recognises the rich diversity of the LGBTQ+ community reflecting LGBTQ+ people of colour as well as different gender identities. It also reminds people that while progress has been made, there is still much more to do.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, fewer in-person events have taking place this year for LGBT+ History Month, with the lighting up of St Mary’s Lighthouse one of the main events taking place.

North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn CBE, said: “We want to ensure North Tyneside is a place where people feel safe and no one experiences discrimination or disadvantage because of their characteristics, background or personal circumstances.

“We are a council that values and promotes equality and inclusivity, and this month’s celebration is a great opportunity to remind us all that promoting equality and challenging discrimination is everybody’s business.”

The news comes as members of North Tyneside Council’s Cabinet approved its updated equality and diversity policy, which demonstrates its commitment to the national Equalities Act and eliminating discrimination.

The refreshed policy follows a public consultation which took place between November and January.

To find out more about LGBT+ History Month, visit https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/