NALC marks Pride Month by hosting its first-ever meeting of LGBT+ councillors

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) marked Pride Month by hosting its first-ever national meeting of LGBT+ councillors from local (parish and town) councils.

The new NALC National Network: LGBT+ councillors has been established to connect councillors from across the country, provide a forum for learning and mutual support, and share experiences and good practice.

Discussions at this week’s meeting covered the role and purpose of the network, how councils and communities were celebrating Pride Month, and ways for the network to stay in touch with each other through other platforms such as WhatsApp.

Cllr Keith Stevens, vice-chair of NALC, said: “Supporting councils and councillors are among NALC’s strategic aims, which is why I am delighted NALC has set up this new network to connect LGBT+ councillors from across the country. I hope councillors find the network valuable and that it can act as a source of mutual support and inspiration.”

Cllr Mathew Hulbert, vice-chair of Barwell Parish Council in Leicestershire, said: "I'm so proud, in helping set up of this new network, to have seen out LGBT+ parish and town councillors from different parts of the country be part of its launch meeting. There were so many fantastic contributions about our experiences as out public representatives at the most local level of government, as well as ideas about what our network can seek to achieve moving forward. Launching this new group during Pride Month made it extra special. Pride is both a celebration of what our communities have achieved and the progress society has made towards equality and a protest at what is still left to achieve. As leaders in our communities, parish and town councillors have a key role to play in leading on this agenda and I look forward to what our new network will achieve in the months and years ahead."

Future meetings of the network will take place quarterly and be held online — to find out more or information on how to get involved contact NALC at .