Flag flies to celebrate gay, lesbian and transgender communities

A rainbow flag will be flown across north Norfolk this month to celebrate the area's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The annual LGBT History Month was launched on Monday as North Norfolk District Council joined authorities across the country raising the multi-coloured flag at its Cromer office.

Throughout the February, events will be held across Norfolk to mark and celebrate the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

On February 23, north Norfolk will host a Pride Poetry and Supper evening at Virginia Court, Cromer.

Members of the Norwich Pride Collection will talk about their experiences organising Norfolk's first Pride celebrations, which took place last year, and North Norfolk Pride 2010.

Today Voluntary Norfolk will also host an event as part of the celebrations with an Only Gay in the Village workshop in Neatishead.

Organisations including the police, Age Concern and The Matthew Project will get together from 9am to 1pm to discuss the LGBT community in rural areas and how they can better meet and understand their needs.

In Norfolk, homophobic harassment and abuse represents a high proportion of all hate incidents and crime reported to police.

Steve Blatch, strategic director of NNDC, said LGBT History Month was about replacing ignorance and discrimination with knowledge and understanding.

He said: 'The council is committed to promoting equality and in working with partners and local communities to make north Norfolk a safe and inclusive place where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves without fear of prejudice.'

To book a place at the Pride Poetry and Supper evening, call 01263 512398. Tickets cost �5.

For a full programme for LGBT History Month, visit www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk