Councillors celebrate Pride Month

Pride Month is being marked in Wokingham Borough this June with events and other activities to celebrate LGBT+ communities in the area.

The month allows people to come together, show how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, and how in some places there's still work to be done.

Pride is being marked in Wokingham Borough with a Pride picnic in Wokingham town centre on Saturday 8 July. 

Meet at Wokingham Town Hall at 11.30am for photos followed by a picnic at Elms Field from 12 noon. 

Supporting Wokingham Pride

This is organised by Wokingham Pride, supported with funding from the borough’s Equality Forum. 

Last year Wokingham Borough Council provided the forum with £5,000 for Community Diversity Grants. 

A panel from the group then chose to support nine organisations locally, including Wokingham Pride, to run projects which tackle inequality and discrimination in the borough.

The council will also be raising the Pride flag on its Shute End offices on Friday 7 July at 10am to coincide with the event. 

The flag will also be displayed at some of the council’s libraries.

Displaying the Pride flag

Residents are welcome to join us for the flag raising, meet by the flagpole outside the council’s Shute End office, near the junction of Station Approach and Reading Road. 

Other Pride events in Berkshire this year include Bracknell Forest Pride, which took place this  Saturday (10 June) and Reading Pride on Saturday 2 September.

Pride is celebrated each June as this is when the Stonewall Riots took place in America. 

These were important protests, in parts of New York, that changed gay rights for people in America and around the world.

What pride means to councillors

Liberal Democrat Cllrs Imogen and Rachelle Shepherd-Dubey, who represent Emmbrook and Winnersh wards respectively, have regularly attended Pride events in the UK and US. 

Imogen, who is also Executive Member for Finance, attend pride marches in London in the early 90s, when it was more focused on protesting about how badly LGBT people were treated. 

She also volunteered for Reading Gay and Lesbian Helpline, the gay and lesbian helpline based in Reading which is now part of SupportU, which helps and supports people with LGBTQ+ issues and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the Thames Valley.

The couple have both supported and helped set up Wokingham Pride since it was established four years ago. 

Imogen said: “Pride is about acknowledging that all forms of LGBT people exist, building acceptance and providing a safe space for everyone, including our allies.

“There are still plenty of difficulties experienced by LGBT people, that are not experienced by people who don’t identify as LGBT. It is important to allow everyone to feel safe and comfortable with their identity. We all need to work together to eliminate hate.”

'Everyone should be proud of who they are'

Rachelle added: “It's important for the council to support pride because it validates people especially young people despite negative comments from some fellow students, or comments they read online in forums. Everyone should be proud of who they are.”

Conservative Cllr Laura Blumenthal, who represents South Lake ward in Woodley, Conservative Shadow Member for Levelling Up, Equalities and Social Housing, said: “'I always look forward to Pride as it's a great carnival atmosphere where everyone feels the freedom to be themselves. 

“It's also an important opportunity to welcome the wider local community to meet new people and take part in the celebration. 

“Wokingham Borough Council's support is crucial as it remains committed to listening and learning from residents. I can't wait to celebrate in the sunshine as Pride season begins.''

'The council has a key role to play'

Labour Cllr Rachel Burgess, who represents Norreys ward in Wokingham and is Labour group leader, says the council has a key role to play in showing leadership and fighting for equality. 

“I am a regular at Wokingham Pride, which is always fun, colourful, vibrant and celebratory, and will always champion the rights of the LGBT+ community,” she said.

“There is still so much to do to and the fight for equality is far from over. 

"The council can play a key role in showing leadership on this issue and doing whatever it can to uphold and enhance LGBT+ rights and to fight for equality.”

Equality Plan making a difference

Wokingham Borough Council continues to implement its Equality Plan 2021-25, ensuring no resident is left behind, irrespective of their background or characteristics. 

It’s helping the council to build a more equal and inclusive borough, enabling all residents to prosper and thrive. 

It means the council is supporting a diverse, included and engaged workforce, as well as fulfilling its legal duties required under the Equality Act 2010.