The rainbow flag has been raised over four City landmarks as the City of London Corporation shows its support for the LGBT+ community.
The iconic banner was raised today (15 June) with a small ceremony at Guildhall, attended by Edward Lord, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Establishment Committee, and representatives from the City Corporation’s LGBT+ staff network.
The flag will fly until Friday at the City Corporation’s historic headquarters and over Tower Bridge, The Mansion House and the Central Criminal Court, as well as at some of the City Corporation’s schools and open spaces.
In recent years, City Corporation staff and elected Members have taken part in the annual Pride in London parade, but this year’s celebrations have been cancelled due to coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Edward Lord, Chair of the City Corporation’s Establishment Committee, which leads on the City Corporation’s workforce and inclusion policies, said:
“While unfortunately this year’s Pride in London celebrations have fallen victim to COVID-19, we felt it was important we show our support for, and solidarity with, the LGBT+ community in London and around the world.
“Issues around equality are at the forefront of everyone’s minds and this is an opportunity for us to make a visible demonstration of our commitment to diversity, inclusion and acceptance in society.
“While we can’t physically come together to celebrate, flying the flag is a sign of our support for London’s LGBT+ community and our recognition of the role it plays in the extraordinarily diverse capital we call home.”
The City of London Corporation is a Diversity Champion through Stonewall’s nationwide LGBT+ workplace inclusivity initiative and in recent years City Bridge Trust, the City Corporation’s charitable funder, has awarded over £1.5m for work benefiting the LGBT+ community.
