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Wales’ National Assembly to mark LGBT History Month

Feb 06 2013
Written by Lewis Rees

Buildings belonging to the National Assembly of Wales in Cardiff Bay and Colwyn Bay will fly the Rainbow flag tomorrow, in order to mark LGBT History Month.

The Assembly’s Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM, will be joined by the Welsh Minister for Equalities, Sandy Mewies AM, to witness the Rainbow flag being raised 12:15pm tomorrow, the South Wales Evening Post reports.

The National Assembly for Wales has been ranked amongst the top gay friendly employers for the past 5 years, according to Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, with it being ranked 26^th in 2013.

Rosemary Butler said: “I am proud that the Assembly does so much positive work around the issue of LGBT rights, but there is still work to be done in ensuring that the LGBT community is recognised on an equal footing in all walks of life, and in particular within mainstream politics.”

Mrs Mewies continued: “The LGBT history month is all about celebrating diversity and cultural pluralism, which is something we strive to do at the Assembly. I am delighted to take part in this ceremony to raise the Rainbow standard above the Assembly’s estate.”

Stonewall Cymru’s first ever report into attitudes towards gay people in Wales showed widespread support for gay rights, with 3 in 5 supporting equal marriage. However, during the vote at Westminster yesterday, all Welsh Tory MPs voted against same-sex marriage.

In January, it was revealed that only four out of 22 local authorities in Wales were keeping records of homophobic bullying at schools following a Freedom of Information request from Plaid Cymru.

LGBT History Month is held in February each year in the UK and celebrates LGBT history and advancements in gay rights.