POLICEMEN have been doing their bit to raise awareness of the issues facing members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by holding a number of events to celebrate LGBT History month.

February is designated specially to reflect on the LGBT civil rights movement because it coincides with the abolition of the law prohibiting homosexuality.

It is also a month spent raising awareness of the issues still faced by community members today.

PCSO Lee Hare, who is also the Unison LGBT officer for Wiltshire Police, said: “During the month mine and Kate Jackson-Collier’s job as Unison LGBT officers has been to further raise the profile of LGBT issues to those in the force and the wider community.

“The month kicked off by attending county hall in Trowbridge where Wiltshire Council raised a rainbow flag for the first time.

“They also had an exhibition of LGBT history which is touring the county throughout the month.

“Since the raising of the flags we’ve been sending out weekly emails looking back through time.

“The emails shared some successes for equal rights and celebrated some of the famous LGBT people from the past and present.

“They also delved into some of the darkest times to remind people how far we have come.”