Flag raised for Cumbria Pride

The rainbow flag was raised at the Town Hall in Workington to celebrate Cumbria Pride. Cumbria Pride was due to take place on Saturday 26 September to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Most of the events have been cancelled or moved online due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The flag was raised by the Mayor of Workington, Cllr Janet King, alongside local poet John Hastings. Cllr King commented;
“It’s such a shame that we cannot gather for the usual Cumbria Pride events. So, it felt more important than ever to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community.”

John Hastings is a supporter of Cumbria Pride and campaigns for local organisations to get more involved. John read a poem that he originally composed for the 2018 Cumbria Pride event:

KEEPING LOVE ALIVE
By John Hastings

In unity at Pride to
celebrate Love and equal rights,
the quest for victory over hate
remains firmly within our sights.

Having come so far in the name of Love
through past historic achievements,
we will never rest on our laurels
or be lulled into complacence.

For sadly, in this uncertain world,
even in the 21st Century,
Love continues to be under siege
from intolerance and bigotry.

We stand up for those who have paid
the price for Love with freedom lost
and keep the memories alive of those
who were dealt the ultimate cost.

Through the gospel of education,
conducted with dignified guidance,
the enemies of Love will be nullified
into deafening silence.

For as long as it will have to take,
we will never once give in
against the tidal wave of hatred.
Because Love will ALWAYS win.