Local licensee launches ‘Freedom Flag Forever’ campaign

Starbucks Coffee in St James Street are first business to sign the pledge to fly a Rainbow Flag all year round.

Local licensee and owner of the Marine Tavern in Broad Street has launched a Facebook campaign to encourage businesses in St James Street to fly the Rainbow Flag all year and not just during Pride.

Lee Cockshott is preparing to celebrate his first Pride in Brighton & Hove as a business owner and was surprised to see how many venues were flying the Rainbow Flag.

Lee said: “I think it is great that so many businesses are flying the flag this week, but why don’t they fly the flag all year round. The Rainbow Flag is not a sign for profit, it is a sign of support.”

Lee is going round all businesses in St James Street today asking them to sign a pledge to fly the flag all year round to show support for their LGBT customers who contribute a major amount to the turnovers of many businesses in St James Street.

First business to sign the Freedom Flag Pledge in St James Street was Starbucks Coffee who have agreed to fly some of their seven rainbow flags all year round.

Hot on the heels of Starbucks O’Fishly Healthy and Age Concern Charity Shop signed on the dotted line.

Plans to fly the Rainbow Flag all year round in New Steine Gardens were scuppered late last year by some hoteliers in New Steine who opposed a permanent flag pole being located in the gardens to fly the Rainbow Flag at events important to the LGBT communities during the year including World Aids Day, Trans*Pride, IDAHOBIT and the annual Hate Crime Vigil.

To support the campaign, click here:   and ‘like’ the group.