British Embassy Flies the Rainbow Flag
Thursday 5th June 2008
The British embassy in Riga, Latvia made history over the weekend when it flew the rainbow flag to mark the city’s Pride and Friendship days.
Ambassador Richard Moon with Clair, a British visitor to Riga Pride. Image courtesy of UK Gay News.
It’s thought that ambassador Richard Moon’s decision makes it the first time a rainbow flag has been officially flown at a British embassy anywhere in the world.
Moon professed the government’s devotion to LGBT rights as he raised the flag, saying: “The British Government totally supports LGBT rights in Europe and throughout the world. And this support is 24/7, 365 days a year — and not just for Pride.”
Afterwards embassy staff joined a local lesbian athlete for afternoon tea. Turnout was high, which Moon said “underlined the sincerity and degree of support from Embassy staff, both British and Latvian”.
The flag itself will fly over the embassy throughout the week. This weekend it will travel to Poland, where a Pride is scheduled. It is hoped that embassy staff there will follow Moon’s lead.
The flying of the rainbow flag stems from a rumour spread last year that the British embassy had flown the flag during the Riga Pride. That rumour eventually made its way to MPs who asked the Foreign Secretary to fly the flag in every European capital city on the day of its Pride.
The Riga Pride was deemed a success by participants and organizers.
Related stories:
UK Promises to Use Its Diplomatic Power to Fight for Gay Rights Abroad
Ambassador Richard Moon with Clair, a British visitor to Riga Pride. Image courtesy of UK Gay News.
It’s thought that ambassador Richard Moon’s decision makes it the first time a rainbow flag has been officially flown at a British embassy anywhere in the world.
Moon professed the government’s devotion to LGBT rights as he raised the flag, saying: “The British Government totally supports LGBT rights in Europe and throughout the world. And this support is 24/7, 365 days a year — and not just for Pride.”
Afterwards embassy staff joined a local lesbian athlete for afternoon tea. Turnout was high, which Moon said “underlined the sincerity and degree of support from Embassy staff, both British and Latvian”.
The flag itself will fly over the embassy throughout the week. This weekend it will travel to Poland, where a Pride is scheduled. It is hoped that embassy staff there will follow Moon’s lead.
The flying of the rainbow flag stems from a rumour spread last year that the British embassy had flown the flag during the Riga Pride. That rumour eventually made its way to MPs who asked the Foreign Secretary to fly the flag in every European capital city on the day of its Pride.
The Riga Pride was deemed a success by participants and organizers.
Related stories:
UK Promises to Use Its Diplomatic Power to Fight for Gay Rights Abroad
