Greens have been campaigning to get local councils in the South West to fly the rainbow flag on International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on 17th May.

Instead of the Union Jack, council premises across the South West will be flying either a rainbow flag or the 'Pink Jack'. Local authorities who have agreed to support this initiative include Bournemouth, Poole, Bristol, and others .

The South West Green Party launched the campaign to encourage local councils to participate back in February. It was the first action taken by the newly formed South West LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Greens, a group set up to demonstrate and support the Green Party's tireless work in combating discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

Ryan Cleminson, spokesperson for lgbt and Human rights of the South West LGBT Greens, said, "We started this campaign to get councils to fly the flag back in February when we launched the South West LGBT Greens and since then we have had a good response. I think IDAHO is important in highlighting how although in some places homophobia is treated as a serious issue, that is sadly not the case everywhere. With seven UN member states still regarding homosexuality as a criminal offence punishable by the death penalty clearly there is more work to do. I would like to thank the councils that have signed up to the campaign."

Ricky Knight, prospective Green MEP for the South West, added: "The Green Party aims to build a more sustainable and equal society where everyone is valued as an individual. The diversity within the LGBT community enriches all our lives and should be encouraged and promoted. Our Party has an admirable record of opposing discrimination and I am proud to lend my support to this campaign."

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