Barnsley flies rainbow flag with pride for LGBT+ History Month

Barnsley Council says it is flying a rainbow flag with pride for the first time at the town hall to mark LGBT+ History Month in February.
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Barnsley libraries online will signpost people to a collection of LGBT+ eBooks and eAudiobooks, teachers and home-schooling parents can access the Barnsley ‘Uncovered’ Schools pack – raising awareness of how LGBT+ people lived in the past – and Barnsley Museums will be sharing LGBT+ highlights from their collections on social media.

Barnsley Heritage Connects invites residents to join their virtual elevenses – an informal online coffee morning which will welcome guest speakers related to the LGBT community.

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To receive a virtual invite, email [email protected].

Barnsley Council is celebrating LGBT+ History Month in February by flying a rainbow flag over the town hall for the first timeBarnsley Council is celebrating LGBT+ History Month in February by flying a rainbow flag over the town hall for the first time
Barnsley Council is celebrating LGBT+ History Month in February by flying a rainbow flag over the town hall for the first time

One of the stories being told is about Maurice Dobson, an openly gay miner and war veteran who lived in Darfield with his partner Fred Halliday. They ran a shop in Darfield together, which Maurice left with his antiques collection to be turned into a museum.

Councillor Alan Gardiner, council cabinet spokesperson for corporate services, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting LGBT History Month this year - it’s a fabulous opportunity to celebrate and promote equality and diversity for the benefit of our communities in Barnsley.

"Not only is it a celebration of the history of the gay rights movement, but it also demonstrates our commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive society for our diverse communities.

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“We are also really proud to be demonstrating this commitment by raising the rainbow pride flag on our town hall for the first time – a symbol of communities coming together to learn and support one another.

"It’s also heartening that despite the challenging times we face the pandemic has not stopped us coming together through a series of virtual activities.”

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