Council to fly Rainbow flag in support of Proud Ness parade

The Highland Council will fly the Rainbow Flag at both the Town House in Inverness and the Council’s Headquarters on Glenurquhart Road on 6 October to show support for the Proud Ness parade and events taking place that day.

Councillor Bill Lobban, Convenor of the Council said:

“One of the Council’s goals is to promote fairness and welcome diversity and I am delighted to agree to fly the Rainbow Flag at both the Town House in Inverness and at Council HQ to show support for the Proud Ness event on 6 October.”

The Pride event has been organised by the Highland LGBT Forum whose aims are to raise awareness of LGBTI+ issues, to reduce isolation amongst LGBTI+ people in Highland, and to encourage inclusion and diversity.

Following the Proud Ness march from Falcon Square to Eden Court, there is a full day of stands and activities at the theatre. Members of the LGBTI+ sub-group of the Council’s Care and Learning Equalities Improvement Group will also be leading a workshop to share their work in LGBTI+ education and inclusion. This will include young people from Highland schools and local partners hosting roundtable conversations on different aspects of LGBTI+ inclusion and education, a reading from Highland teacher and author, and a session led by the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign who are promoting LGBTI+ inclusion in education establishments across Scotland.

Cllr Lobban added: “It is especially important that young LGBTI+ people are able to find support when they need it and that schools can tackle and respond to homophobic and transphobic bullying. The Proud Ness event gives us an opportunity to show that Highland is an inclusive and welcoming place to live.” 

Principal Policy Officer for Equality, Rosemary Mackinnon said that: “Staff from Highland Council will also be at a stand at Eden Court throughout the day. We know that a number of staff from the Council will be attending and they are welcome to walk together on the parade through the city centre under a banner supporting the Council’s commitment to promote fairness and welcome diversity.  Any Council staff who would like to join us under the Council banner are invited to meet in Falcon Square at 9.15am on Saturday in front of the Scotland shop (previously Monsoon) under the clock.”