The rainbow flag is flying above County Hall in Lewes in support of the LGBT+ community.

Despite this year’s Pride events across the county being postponed as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, the iconic flag was raised on Tuesday, in support of equality and diversity.

Representatives from East Sussex County Council ESCC) were joined by Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and the county’s High Sheriff.

ESCC Chairman, Councillor David Elkin, said: “While we are unable this year to get together to celebrate and support diversity and inclusion in our county, flying the flag is a great way to show our commitment to the LGBT+ community and to what it represents.

“The Pride flag flies to remind us all of the need to continue to strive for equality at a time when these issues are at the forefront of everyone’s mind.”

Steph Meech, LGBT Network Deputy Chair at South East Coast Ambulance, added: “At this challenging time it is still important to celebrate Pride. We must not forget the struggles that the LGBT community face even today.”

Parades and events across East Sussex have had to be called off this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, but organisers are already planning to return in 2021.

Lindsey Stevenson, LGBT+ Network Chair at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, who attended the flag raising event, said: “Recently, we have witnessed unprecedented times that have changed the shape of Pride events across the region, and people have responded with compassion, friendship and an outpouring of support for one another as we have adapted to a different way of marking Pride.

“As we move towards recovery we look forward to a time when we can celebrate Pride events and bring the LGBT+ community together again.”