On Friday 9 June, the Mayor of Felixstowe, Cllr Seamus Bennett, accompanied by fellow Felixstowe Town Councillors, raised the Progress Pride Flag in Felixstowe Town Hall Gardens to mark Pride Month.
The Progress Pride Flag represents those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, transgender, gender non-binary, and intersex. The black and brown chevrons represent people of colour.
The Progress Pride flag was developed in 2018 by American artist and designer Daniel Quasar. Based on the iconic rainbow flag from 1978, originally designed by Gilbert Baker, the redesign celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community and calls for a more inclusive society.
The Mayor of Felixstowe, Cllr Seamus Bennett, said
“I am proud to be raising the Progress Pride Flag to mark Pride Month on behalf of Felixstowe Town Council for the first time. Felixstowe is a diverse and inclusive town, welcoming to all sexual orientations and gender identities, and I am pleased to recognise this by raising the Progress Pride Flag today“.
Reverend Andrew Dotchin attended the flag raising. Reverend Dotchin cited the murder of Nik Moore, who is buried in St John’s Cemetery in Felixstowe:
“The importance of raising the Progress Pride Flag today is exemplified individuals such as Nik Moore, who was murdered on 30 April 1999 in The Admiral Duncan in Soho. John Light, Andrea Duncan, and her unborn child were also killed in the attack.
The Progress Pride Flag represents those who are lesbian, gay, transgender, asexual, intersex, and gender non-binary. The community of Felixstowe welcomes all members of the LGBTQIA+ community“.
The Progress Pride Flag will fly in Felixstowe Town Hall Gardens until 17 June.