June is Pride Month – a time when millions of people across the country come together in support of the LGBTQIA+ community by holding parades, events and festivals, raising awareness and celebrating people coming together in love and friendship – showing how far LGBTQIA+ rights have come, and how in some places there’s still work to be done toward true equality for this part of our country’s community.

This year, Skipton Town Hall is planning to hold a series of celebrations throughout the month of June to mark Pride month – and local residents are asked to come forward with their ideas about how to celebrate in style!

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in the United States, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,  queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people around the world.

Last year a rainbow flag was proudly raised above the Town Hall building to show unity with the LGBTQIA+ community, plus activities were held at the refurbished Skipton Town Hall during Pride Month as it opened its doors to the public for the first time following major refurbishment.

This year’s celebrations – promised to be bigger and better – build on last year’s successful format and aim to highlight diversity across communities and work towards a fully inclusive society.

A proud supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community in the district, Skipton Town Hall has also joined forces with officials at Skipton Town Council on a large event to take place at Aireville Park in early July, which will be followed the same evening by an after-party event at the Town Hall. A public meeting was recently held to share ideas.

Danielle Daglan, Cultural Services Manager for Craven District Council, said: “A number of members of the local community turned out on March 2nd for the initial working group meeting with Joel Brogan, who is leading from Skipton Town Hall, and Hannah Corrigan leading from Skipton Town Council, to help with shaping and delivering the programme, discussing the ethos of the events and their legacy, along with activity around Pride that can support it.

"We’d love more people to get involved – anything from sharing an idea to volunteering at an event would be welcomed – we’re really excited about what we can do for Pride 2022.”

The next meeting will be held on March 30th,at 5pm and it is TBC whether this is face to face or virtual. If anyone else would like to join the group, or feed in ideas, please e-mail townhall@cravendc.gov.uk