The first openly gay couple at Hertsmere Borough Council will help honour Pride ahead of Hertfordshire Pride this Saturday.

The festival takes place at Cassiobury Park in Watford from 12pm to 10pm. It is Hertfordshire’s biggest LGBTQ+ and pride festival, focusing on embracing diversity and ending discrimination.

This year’s theme will be #PrideandPrejudice, with headliner Rozalla and X Factor contestant Seann Miley Moore among entertainers, as well as North Herts FM radio host Mel Switters, drag artiste Mel Switters, an extravagant dog show and a big top circus tent.

Potters Bar Labour councillors Christian Gray and Chris Myers will be at a ceremony outside the council's civic offices in Borehamwood at 10.30am on Friday.

The rainbow flag, a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) pride and LGBTQ social movements, can already be seen outside the offices.

Borehamwood Times:

The flag outside the council offices in Borehamwood

At a full council meeting in July, a motion by Cllr Gray and Cllr Myers, which called for Hertsmere to take a lead in "combatting homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in our communities", was not discussed with Labour accusing the Conservatives of "filibustering".

Cllr Gray said: "The recent support of the Council officers has been excellent, but we have a long way to go and in 2019 diversity and inclusion can no longer be ignored by any modern organisation."

The incoming health and well-being policy manager at the council will become the lead officer on diversity which Labour group leader Cllr Jeremy Newmark describes as a "positive step" but "doesn’t go far enough" saying the council needs a "dedicated" diversity manager.

Leader of the council, Cllr Morris Bright, said: "As a council we are committed to promoting equality and diversity. We will continue to be flying the pride flag throughout this week and will continue to promote and support Herts Pride 2019 through our social media channels."

Watford Borough Council is hosting the event at Cassiobury Park.

Watford Community Housing Trust and Three Rivers District Council are among major sponsors, and Three Rivers Council raised the Pride flag this week.

Borehamwood Times:

Three Rivers District Council celebrate Pride

Council leader Cllr Sara Bedford said: “I am delighted that Three Rivers is once again sponsoring Herts Pride. By sponsoring the volunteers we are able to support the event taking place and demonstrate our commitment to our diverse communities here in Hertfordshire.

“There will continue to be a need for Pride for as long as there is hatred and discrimination. No one should be made to feel uncomfortable, or bullied or attacked because of who they are or who they love.”

The flag has been flying outside Watford town hall as well.

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: "One of the fantastic things about Watford is the diversity of our town. We’ve got people from all parts of the world of all faiths and of all sexualities.

"So I think it is really fantastic that Herts Pride is coming back to Cassiobury Park and we can celebrate that diversity."

Borehamwood Times:

Peter Taylor with the Pride Flag

Hertfordshire Constabulary's LGBT and liaison officers will also be attending the event. The officers encourage festival goers to drop by and say hello and discuss any concerns they may have in the community.

Tickets for the pride even can be purchased at https://www.wegottickets.com/event/476574