UNITED APPROACH TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

United approach to celebrate diversity

Police and councils are flying a rainbow flag outside their bases in a show of support for the gay community.

The flag is flying outside Leicestershire police headquarters in Enderby, County Hall in Glenfield and Leicester Town Hall to mark the national launch of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month.

Leicestershire's assistant chief constable Steph Morgan, who speaks on LGBT issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "Flying the rainbow flag together in this way is a symbol of our joint commitment to the LGBT community locally and is part of ongoing work with our local authority partners to create a just and fair society for all.

"As national LGBT strategic policing lead, I was pleased to see 10 police forces, including Leicestershire police, featured in the Stonewall 100 Index of gay-friendly employers in January 2013.

"LGBT History Month is a great opportunity to become aware of the challenges LGBT people face everyday."

Councillor Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: "We are delighted to be joining our colleagues at Leicestershire police and Leicester City Council in raising the flag to mark the start of LGBT History Month.

"LGBT people have overcome huge challenges throughout history, both here in Leicestershire and across the world.

"This month is about remembering the contribution of those people and celebrating the diversity of our city and county."

Councillor Manjula Sood, assistant mayor of Leicester, said: "The city council is committed to celebrating Leicester's diversity."