Rainbow flag to be raised at National Assembly to flag up LGBT history month

19 February 2014

The National Assembly for Wales is marking Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month by flying the rainbow flag above its estate in Cardiff Bay and Colwyn Bay from 19 February.

The Presiding Officer, Dame Rosemary Butler AM, will be joined by Assembly Commissioner for Equalities, Sandy Mewies AM, as well as members of the Assembly’s LGBT staff network, Assembly Members and staff to mark the hoisting of the flags.

This follows further recognition of the Assembly’s work in this area from LGBT-rights group Stonewall.

The National Assembly for Wales was named as the top gay-friendly place to work in the public sector in Wales in Stonewall’s 2014 Workplace Equality Index.  The Assembly was also ranked as No 11 in the top 100 UK employers.

“I am proud that the Assembly does so much positive work around the issue of LGBT rights”, the Presiding Officer said.

“That work has been recognised by Stonewall UK whose Workplace Equality Index firmly places the Assembly near the top of the league.

“But we cannot rest on our laurels; there is still much work to be done.

“Part of that work is to support LGBT History Month by flying the Rainbow flag above our estate across Wales.

Sandy Mewies AM, the Assembly Commissioner with responsibility for equalities issues, added: “The LGBT History Month is all about celebrating diversity and cultural pluralism which is something that we strive to do at the Assembly.

“This work has again been recognised by Stonewall and I am delighted that once again the Assembly is marking LGBT History Month.”

This year the Assembly’s LGBT staff network, OUT-NAW, and their allies will be displaying a showcase of their LGBT Heroes in the Senedd throughout the month, focusing on influential and inspirational LGBT people.