The Rainbow Flag

The first day of February marks the start of LGBT History Month, an annual celebration in the UK intended to promote equality and diversity.

This year, for the first time, Pembroke chose to celebrate LGBT History Month by flying the Rainbow Pride Flag above the college on 1st February.

The decision was the result of a request from the Junior Parlour Committee, whose LGBT+ Officer, Jon Cooper (2014), has been very active in drawing the College’s attention to the importance of this occasion. The flag-raising ceremony took place on the morning of 1st February and was attended by Lord Chris Smith, the Master of Pembroke.

[caption id="attachment_23257" align="alignright" width="300"] L-R: Jack Renshaw (Chair of CUSU LGBT+), Lord Chris Smith, and Jon Cooper. Photo by Luke Naylor-Perrott (2015)[/caption]

“It's the influence of people like our Master who have allowed LGBT+ people to play the important role they do at our top universities and in public life today,” commented Jon. “So it makes sense that he was so instrumental in seeing this flag raised on Monday. There is, of course, still a great deal of work to be done, but the Rainbow Flag flying above the Porter's Lodge so strikingly is a symbol to all students, and all prospective students, that Pembroke is an inclusive community that actively welcomes people from all walks of life.”

Pembroke’s rules concerning the flying of flags have remained unchanged for the past twenty years. In 1995 it was proposed that the flags of the four Patron Saints within the UK should be flown on their respective days, but this met with considerable disagreement at the time. A compromise was eventually reached whereby the College flag was flown on the four Patron Saint days. Due to the recent discussions about the Rainbow Flag, however, the question of Patron Saint flags has also been reconsidered.

“The request from the JP generated much discussion,” explained Pembroke’s Bursar, Dr Andrew Cates, “and an acknowledgement that times have changed.”

It has now been decided not only to fly the Rainbow Flag on 1st February but also to purchase the four Patron Saint flags. They will be flown on their respective days to reflect Pembroke’s continuing commitment to promoting and welcoming ‘Excellence in Diversity’.

[caption id="attachment_23256" align="alignleft" width="671"] Photo by Luke Naylor-Perrott (2015)[/caption]