The Pride flag is flying high above Swindon Borough Council's offices for the first time ever.
To mark the start of a month that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, members of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride tried to raise the colourful rainbow-striped flag in Wharf Green, but the flagpole had been vandalised.
In previous years, the group has asked Swindon Borough Council to hoist the rainbow-hued emblem above its Euclid Street home, but an existing policy had stopped this from happening.
This year, however, things have changed, after an override of the policy was found.
A plea posted by Pride on Twitter on Thursday received a response from council leader Jim Robbins in five minutes, in which he pledged to find a way to allow their symbolic banner to appear above the Civic Offices.
Members of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride, including Phoenix Stewart and Andy Midwinter, joined Coun Robbins, Coun Kevin Small, and Coun Neil Hopkins outside the building to mark this historic moment.
The three flagpoles on the roof above the main entrance to the council offices usually have the England flag, the Union flag, and the Swindon Borough flag flying on them.
On Friday lunchtime, the borough flag was lowered so that the Pride flag could temporarily take its place for the month.
Phoenix Stewart said: "The council has always been very supportive of the event itself, though we have tried to do this for years to no avail - and then Jim made it happen in a few hours.
"Wiltshire Council were leading the way, they used our flag, so Swindon felt a bit behind with an outdated policy, but this feels like a milestone now.
"It's great to have a council leader who gives us words and acts on them straight away, it really bodes well for the town.
"This is a small gesture but it's huge for the community."
Andy Midwinter added: "None of us expected this to actually happen, especially not this quickly. It's an exciting day."
Coun Jim Robbins said: "This seemed like the right thing to do. It's long overdue and an important moment for the town.
"This allows us to properly demonstrate our commitment to Pride and inclusivity, and sends a big message to the LGBTQ community,"
Swindon and Wiltshire Pride celebrates its 15th anniversary on August 12 at Queens Park.
The group is looking for a new chairperson and committee members to take on the baton to ensure this event goes from strength to strength.
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