The Pride flag is flying above Bridgwater Town Hall for the first time after requests from the LGBTQ community, unanimously agreed to by the town council.

Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honour the 1969 Stonewall riots.

It works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for everyone lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning.

In the late 1970s, Harvey Milk, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the first openly gay man elected to public office asked his friend Gilbert Baker to design a symbol to represent (what was then referred to as) the gay community.

There are many variants of the Pride flag today with extra colours and symbols to depict other elements, but the town council has chosen to fly the original.

Bridgwater Labour Party women’s officer Meg Boucher said: “Pride month is a celebration of acceptance.

"We have come so far in the journey towards inclusion but there is still a long way to go and many people still face prejudice and abuse because of their sexuality.

"That’s why Pride month is so important, we celebrate the wins and we challenge the wrongs in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community.”

Kate from Burnham said:“The Pride Flag, and the Pride events, are solidarity events. This year many of us will remember that the Government in Uganda has recently passed some extreme anti-LGBT+ laws.

Bridgwater Mercury: Bridgwater Labour Party women’s officer Meg Boucher believes it is all about acceptance.Bridgwater Labour Party women’s officer Meg Boucher believes it is all about acceptance. (Image: Bridgwater Westover Web)

"Every Pride goer will be another matchstick in the growing tree of opposition to these laws.

"Pride is going back to its roots, of protesting for LGBT+ liberation and rights. Perhaps there should be a Pride flag with a white circle and crested crane depiction – which would show solidarity with LGBT+ in Uganda.

"According to IGLA (The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association), in 1989 there were 115 jurisdictions, worldwide, where being LGBT+ was a crime.

"The Pride flag is an important symbol, that helps LGBT+ people feel part of the wider community. It is, however, also a symbol of a commitment to human rights."