Scottish school flies Pride flag to show support for LGBTQ community

Words: Steve Brown

A school in Scotland has been flying the Rainbow flag to show support for the LGBTQ community.

Willowbank School, in Kilmarnock, raised the Pride flag at the end of January as a way of showing support for the LGBTQ community during LGBT History Month.

The flag will reportedly continue to be flown until February 28 – which in Scotland is Purple Day, a day for standing up against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

According to the Daily Record, the school has waved the Pride flag for a number of years and headteacher Tracy Smallwood said the flag is raised to mark LGBT History Month.

She said: “We fly the rainbow flag which is flown as part of LGBT History Month.

Love is love. This Valentine’s Day and every day. ❤️ 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/i6WYpX1jn3

— Willowbank School (@WbankSchool) February 14, 2020

“We hoisted it on Friday, January 31, and it will remain in situ until February 28 when we will celebrate Purple Day.

“This has been part of our school curriculum for several years as we have worked towards gaining our LGBT Youth Scotland bronze award.”

Labour and Co-operative party councillor Barry Douglas said: “I am proud of Willowbank’s decision to fly the pride flag once again in support of LGBT history month.

“The rainbow flag represents equality and individuality in addition to its role as a symbol of LGBT support.”