THE RAINBOW flag was raised in Workington to show support to the LGBTQ+ community.

The mayor of Workington Janet King raised the flag with local poet John Hastings at the Town Hall to celebrate Cumbria Pride.

The event was due to take place on Saturday to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, but most of the events have been cancelled or moved online due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Councillor King said: "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.”

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

Cumbria Pride has created a new Virtual Project. More information is available at www.cumbriapride.org

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