Havering Council has raised the Progress Pride Flag to mark the start of LGBT+ History Month 2026.
The flag includes all the colours of the Rainbow Pride flag, widely recognised as the symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) communities, a chevron of black and brown stripes to represent people of colour, and blue, pink and white for transgender people.
The flag raising, which took place this morning (2 February 2026), outside Havering Town Hall, Romford, signals the start of a month of activities to celebrate LGBT+ history.
Nationally, LGBT+ History Month recognises the achievements and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people by claiming their past, celebrating their present and creating their future.
The theme for this year’s LGBT+ History Month is ‘Science and Innovation’, which explores the need for diverse teams to further our everyday technologies, developments in healthcare, and address climate change challenges and our access to clean energy.
Alongside celebrating the contributions of LGBT+ people, it also highlights the harm that the LGBT+ community has historically faced because of the ways in which science has been explored and misapplied in the past.
In addition to flying the flag for the month, the Council’s LGBT+ Staff Forum will also be hosting a series of exciting activities and events for Council staff throughout February.
In Havering, the borough’s libraries will be presenting LGBT+ book displays, where residents will be able learn about pivotal LGBT+ figures.
Councillor Sue Ospreay, Mayor of Havering, said:
“It is a proud moment to celebrate LGBT+ History Month by raising the Progress Pride Flag and to celebrate and recognise all the achievements and rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
“Today serves as a symbol of our continued support for the LGBT+ community and other minority community groups in the borough.
“In Havering, we are always proud to mark any event which brings our communities closer together.”