Westminster opens Pride Month with City Hall flag

The Lord Mayor of Westminster raised the Pride flag outside Westminster City Hall on Monday, 1 June, to mark the start of Pride Month in the city.

The ceremony was led by Westminster’s First Citizen, Cllr Karen Scarborough, as the council highlighted the contribution of LGBTQIA+ communities to civic life, culture and local history.

Pride flag raised outside Westminster City Hall

Pride Month is observed each June as a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture and recognise the activism that has shaped rights, visibility and public life over generations.

In Westminster, the flag raising placed that national and international month of recognition in a local civic setting. City Hall sits at the centre of a borough with a long cultural and nightlife history, including venues, community spaces and public events associated with LGBTQIA+ residents, workers and visitors.

Wider Pride activity in the city

The council said several Pride-related events are taking place in Westminster during the month. The city is also closely connected to Pride in London, with the parade scheduled for July.

Pride in London traditionally draws large numbers of participants and spectators into central London, including areas of Westminster, making local planning, public spaces and civic support part of the wider Pride calendar.

Lord Mayor says Westminster remains open

After raising the flag, Cllr Karen Scarborough said Westminster’s identity was shaped by its openness to different communities.

“Westminster will always be an open, welcoming city and that makes it such a special place to live, work and visit,” she said. “I was proud to raise the Pride flag to mark the beginning of Pride Month and celebrate the important contribution of our LGBTQIA+ communities.”

Source: Westminster City Council